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(12348, 17, '2012-11-16 17:38:23', '2012-11-16 17:38:23', 'At 36, Aaron<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Aaron-Zwetsloot.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-666" title="Aaron Zwetsloot" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Aaron-Zwetsloot-290x290.jpg" alt="" width="283" height="298" /></a> Zwetsloot might have thought that college and a degree were missed opportunities that would seal his future and limit his career opportunities. No one was more surprised than he when he found himself sitting in class and out in the <a title="SJVC Aviation" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-campus/">Aviation campus’ </a>hangar realizing a new vision for himself.\r\n\r\nHis Volkswagen repair business in Oregon was losing ground as the economy tightened, and he knew he had to make a big change to provide for his wife, Jill, and their two sons, 9-year old Parker and 4-year old Dublin.\r\n\r\nA move to <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/">Fresno</a> found them all scrambling a little to re-stabilize. “I’m a small town guy used to going in to apply for a job, resume in hand,” says Aaron. “Now everything is online and I felt a little overwhelmed.”\r\n\r\nCollege wasn’t his first thought. Aaron went to work right out of high school. “I really wasn’t interested in anything and didn’t want to waste my time or money,” he says. Now he is at a time and place in his life when he can really focus.\r\n\r\n“I get up at 5:00 o’clock (classes start at 7:00 am) to get prepared,” says Aaron. “If I’m going to do this, I have to make it worthwhile.”\r\n\r\nIt’s working. Aaron was just named <em>Student of the Aero</em>, a distinction given to those students who go beyond class participation, grades, performance and behavior expectations.\r\n\r\n“I never really liked classes like English when I was in high school,” he says. “But, my (Aviation program) English teacher, Jody Mills, is fantastic, “so I’m getting more out of it now.”\r\n\r\nHe loves that the Aviation campus is at the Fresno airport and can watch the industry action up close. Many in his family are either pilots or airplane hobbyists, so there is lots of support for his new career direction. His wife, Jill, works full time to help make Aaron’s education possible and even his young boys try to share his excitement. “My son, Dublin, will ask, ‘Dad, how was school today?’”\r\n\r\nAaron graduates in about six months and sees a bright future for his family. “It’s a new beginning for us and I see this as something I can do for the rest of my life,” he says.', 'Smooth Flying for Fresno Aviation Student', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'smooth-flying-for-fresno-aviation-student', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:52:13', '2014-10-17 19:52:13', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=665', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12349, 17, '2012-11-10 17:42:15', '2012-11-10 17:42:15', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/charmelle.jpeg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-671" title="charmelle" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/charmelle-290x290.jpeg" alt="" width="290" height="290" /></a>Charmelle Andrews knows how to hunker down. When challenge blows her way – whether it is going back to college at age 48, working full-time while enrolled in the<a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/"> Medical Office Administration online </a>program, or trying to function in the dark when Hurricane Sandy blew through her home in Staten Island, NY – she digs in.\r\n\r\n“When you look outside and see a boat in your yard – and you don’t own one – you know it’s bad,” says Charmelle. She is grateful she was only “inconvenienced”, when many of her co-workers at the home health agency where she works lost their homes.\r\n\r\n“Some of my friends still don’t know where their cars are,” she says.\r\n\r\nEven though the electricity and gas are back on, Charmelle still has plenty of struggle, working full-time while trying to complete her MOA degree program in April next year. Some days she just doesn’t want to go to class and toys with the idea of giving up. But, she knows from past experience that her degree will open doors.\r\n\r\n“I’ve lost jobs that my experience made me more qualified for, but someone else got it because of that little piece of paper,” she says. “Ok, if that’s what they want, I’ll go and get it.”\r\n\r\nCharmelle first enrolled in the <a title="Medical Office" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office/">Medical Office Administration </a>certification program. When she finished that she decided to take it all the way and get her AS degree. This proved a little more difficult, as double classes meant that sometimes lectures overlap. Add in her 4-hour time difference in New York and full-time work and it can be a scramble.\r\n\r\n“I’ve kind of shocked myself that I’ve had the patience to do it,” she says. Her persistence has paid off with making the Dean’s List eight times.\r\n\r\nPlus, friends and family won’t let her quit. “When I am tired and fee like giving up, someone in her family and friend support group will say, “You can do it; your fan club is here!”’ says Charmelle.\r\n\r\nCharmelle keeps her vision of success in sharp focus. She wants to start her own medical billing business one day – maybe working out of her home. She is counting on a little more control over her life than hurricanes have been known to offer. She is the whirlwind who can do it.', 'Hurricane Sandy Meets Her Match', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'hurricane-sandy-meets-her-match', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/', '2014-10-17 12:54:04', '2014-10-17 19:54:04', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=669', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12350, 17, '2012-12-22 23:38:34', '2012-12-22 23:38:34', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-Giving-Tree1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-859" title="The Giving Tree" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-Giving-Tree1-290x290.jpg" alt="" width="290" height="290" /></a>In early December,<a title="SJVC Temecula" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula/"> SJVC Temecula </a>initiated the giving tree, an opportunity for families in need to receive gifts for their children and families. As of December 20<sup>th</sup>, nearly 40 wishes have been fulfilled by faculty, students, staff, and fundraising on campus. Extra funds for wishes were gathered by selling candygrams and delivering holiday messages delivered by students from Diversity, HOSA, ASB, and even Mr. Magilla the Christmas Gorilla. There was also an ugly sweater dress down day, giving students an opportunity to share in the holiday spirit, as well as compete for ugliest sweater!\r\n\r\nLasting an entire month, the holiday can food drive was a huge success, refilling (and overflowing) the SJVC Temecula food pantry, and creating 8 holiday feasts for families in need on campus. Through competition between the floors, nearly 600 cans and non-perishable items were collected – <em>that’s over 2 items per student!</em> This effort helped provide some holiday feasts, as well as rejuvenate a long-lasting food pantry on campus for students in need.\r\n\r\nThe alumni association is now in full swing! After having its first meeting, students graduating and about to graduate at SJVC Temecula had their first meeting towards the future of SJVC! Numerous ideas will soon be starting, including alumni events, a scholarship fund for new SJVC students, publications and testimonials, and more! If you’re interested in getting more information, or even helping plan the future of alumni at <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>, please contact Mr. Hall at 951 296 6015.', 'The Giving Tree', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'the-giving-tree', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:47:53', '2014-10-17 19:47:53', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=857', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12351, 17, '2013-01-12 17:25:40', '2013-01-13 01:25:40', 'Violeta Chaidez is the first<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/violeta1.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-660" title="violeta" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/violeta1-290x290.jpg" alt="" width="291" height="290" /></a> member of her large family to attend college and come away with a degree. Her parents and four siblings know from watching her these last fourteen months, while she got up early for class, studied during the summer when her brothers and sisters were out of school and working to keep her grades up, that it could be done.\r\n\r\n“I loved showing them my degree and maybe inspiring them to go to college, too,” says Violeta.\r\n\r\nHer 3.8 GPA indicates she is a deserving role model.\r\n\r\nHer <a title="Business Administration" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration/">Business Administration </a>classes provided the perfect fit for her future plans.\r\n\r\n“I wanted to enroll in a program that would give me the most opportunities for a career,” says Violeta, who would like to open her own spa business one day.\r\n\r\nOne class in particular provided a big boost to her self-employment dream.  “Miss Nichols’ Business Capstone class taught us a lot about running a business,” she says. “It was more than just buying stuff to sell; it was about how to attract people and how to make your business come alive.” Fun and creativity were definitely emphasized.\r\n\r\n“I thought that classes might be a monotone of lectures and homework, but class projects like creating your own business and selecting a theme made it so much fun.”\r\n\r\nVioleta will attend<a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/"> SJVC’s </a>graduation ceremony on Jan. 18<sup>th</sup> in Rancho Cucamonga. Her parents and siblings will be there to cheer her accomplishments, and she is pretty sure her brothers and sisters will use this memory to move forward in their own educational lives, now that she has shown the way.', 'SJVC Graduate Sets The Education Bar High For Her Family', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sjvc-graduate-sets-the-education-bar-high-for-her-family', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration/', '2014-10-17 12:46:43', '2014-10-17 19:46:43', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=658', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12352, 17, '2013-01-15 19:32:07', '2013-01-16 03:32:07', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Shonna-Sutton.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-773" title="Shonna Sutton" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Shonna-Sutton.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="150" /></a>Lashonna Sutton knows she has a big light to shine on the world by helping others to see the light within themselves. But she knew she, first, had to have all the business structure in place in order to sustain her life coach dreams.\r\n\r\nAs a new <a title="Business Administration" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration/">Business Administration</a> program student on the <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/">Fresno </a>campus, Shonna is learning how to support the feeling and services part of her business, “Chosen with Purpose”, with the framework of Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, Business Plan and Professional Development.\r\n\r\n“Without this program I would never have known all of this and how to deal with even the legal issues of hiring people and running a business,” says Shonna.\r\n\r\nLashonna came to SJVC after her military service with the US Air Force ended in 2002 and various jobs led her back to California. It wasn’t long before she recognized the advantage of earning a degree in business and the opportunity her veteran’s status gave her to obtain it. She wasted no time in putting her options into action and is well on her way toward that end.\r\n\r\nLashonna’s self-employment goals are to steer her current business in a way that reaches more people who need direction in life, to inspire others to live their dreams and write a few books along the way. She hopes to have her current book, “Masterpiece” ready for publication in the next year or two.\r\n\r\nIn it she motivates others to “recognize their unique gifts and look at each setback as an opportunity to grow, to go out there and do something that fulfills their dreams,” she says.\r\n\r\nShonna balances classes and homework with her business’s motivational speaking engagements, while she also devotes herself to her family, which includes her supportive husband, Dennis, and young children Elijah and Alicia. She is always ready for the next step in her own evolution and will go, as she says, “however the Lord moves me.”', 'This Little Light Of Mine', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'this-little-light-of-mine', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration/', '2014-10-17 12:45:55', '2014-10-17 19:45:55', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=674', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12353, 17, '2013-01-13 22:30:34', '2013-01-14 06:30:34', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Maryna.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-734 alignleft" title="Maryna" alt="" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Maryna-290x290.jpg" width="290" height="290" /></a>Maryna Roy came to the U.S. in 2010 from the Ukraine where she met and married her husband Michael who, as a member of the Army National Guard, was there with army buddies in 2009 on a break from their tour in Iraq.\r\n\r\nMaryna had earned a Master’s Degree in Management of Organization and worked as an Office Manager for several years. But she wanted additional education so she could combine her office administration experience with hands-on patient care. The problem: she knew her limited English language proficiency could make the classroom experience very difficult.\r\n\r\n“I knew I needed to keep up with other students, especially in English language classes,” says Maryna. “I had no choice, so I did extra reading and writing until it got easier and easier.” Medical terminology was especially difficult to master, but she was determined to overcome any language barriers.\r\n\r\nHer inspiration was her teacher, Sujanalatha De Almeida, who also came to the U.S. from another country. All along the way her teacher and mentor encouraged her and gave her confidence in herself. “She would tell me, ‘You’re doing great, you’re awesome, you’re smart,’” she says.\r\n\r\nMaryna is appreciative of all the support she got from her teachers and advisors. Mrs. De Almeida feels that Maryna is a source of inspiration to other students, as well. “I was impressed by Maryna’s dedication to her education,” she says. “She went through some challenging times, but never gave up.”\r\n\r\nOne of those challenges was Maryna’s fear of needles. She dreaded performing a venipuncture and was greatly relieved when her first attempt was successful. “It made me feel that it’s the right place for me; a really good feeling,” she says.\r\n\r\nMaryna still made time for community volunteer work, including Hats for Hope, Visalia Rescue Mission events, Kid’s Day, Tulare County College Night and Constitution Day, while continuing educational opportunities such as Preconception Peer Educator Training (CSUF) and medical educational seminars.\r\n\r\nMaryna gives full credit to Michael, who has supported her throughout her return to college.\r\n\r\n“He let me go to school and I didn’t have to go to work, so there was no excuse for me to be a bad student,” she says. Although Maryna has had to leave her family behind, she feels as though Michael’s family welcomed her like a daughter. “His family became my family,” she says. And, somewhere, she knows her parents and younger sister are feeling some pride in her success, as well.<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nMaryna just got the news that her extern site wants her to come to work as a Medical Assistant after she graduates. She is on her way and loving all of it.', 'Student Overcomes Language Barrier to Succeed', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'student-overcomes-language-barrier-to-succeed', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:46:07', '2014-10-17 19:46:07', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=733', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12354, 17, '2013-01-17 22:26:50', '2013-01-17 22:26:50', '<a title="Visalia Campus" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-864" title="tab1" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/tab1-290x290.jpg" alt="" width="290" height="290" /></a>Tabitha Lanning enjoys many meaningful family traditions with her grandparents, parents and three siblings – but a college degree was not one of them. She is happy to have pushed herself to be the first.\r\n\r\nHaving earned her B.S. in Kinesiology at Humboldt University in 2007 and spent a few years working in a medical environment, Tabitha set her sights on <a title="Physician Assistant " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/physician-assistant/">SJVC’s Physician Assistant program </a>in <a title="SJVC Visalia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/">Visalia </a>to take her ‘first’ even higher. “It’s not just being first to do it, but it’s important for me to learn and to participate in this field and to better support my family,” she says. Tabitha’s husband, Josh, is a paramedic, so a shared life in medicine seems natural.\r\n\r\nThere have been family hardships along the way. “I missed seeing my daughter receive an award during a school assembly and taking my son to his first day of pre-school,” says Tabitha. “Josh is Mr. Mom and pretty much takes care of the kids, house, and cooks and cleans,” she says. But 5-year old, Brynn, and 2-year old Zane will enjoy a more comfortable life for the sacrifices their parents are making right now.\r\n\r\nTabitha has committed herself to the requirements of her PA program – one of which is volunteerism. As Class President, she is responsible for organizing charitable events and PA student participation.  Competing for the national Student Society Award, set her class on fire in their efforts to do all they could to support community events, one of the award criteria. From Sept., 2012 until Jan. 15<sup>th</sup> all 24 of the PA students participated in most of 28-events, including Visalia Emergency Aid Toy Drive, Kids Fairs, Heart Walks, Visalia Parenting Network and National Rural Health Day. “We wanted to have a big impact on the community and help as many people – especially kids – as we could,” says Tabitha.\r\n\r\nTabitha was a driving force. “Mrs. Lanning’s work in the community and student leadership is exemplary and she serves as a role model for others in her class,” says PA Program Director Les Howard.\r\n\r\nAlthough, it is possible that Tabitha may be better known by classmates for another unique skill.  In response to a request by her Adult Medicine instructor for a volunteer to mimic the sound of an infant’s croup, Tabitha stepped forward and emitted a seal-like bark. “My kids and I like to play a game of making animal noises,” she says.\r\n\r\nIt looks as though Tabitha is starting two new enduring family traditions.', 'PA Student Is First In Family To Complete College', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'pa-student-is-first-in-family-to-complete-college', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:45:41', '2014-10-17 19:45:41', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=863', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12355, 17, '2013-01-29 16:40:44', '2013-01-29 16:40:44', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Heather-Zelenka.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-904" title="Heather Zelenka" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Heather-Zelenka-290x290.jpg" alt="" width="290" height="290" /></a>At 8-months old Heather Zelenka contracted spinal meningitis, at 10-years old she was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, and at age 12 she began to have petit mal seizures that caused her to lose consciousness for 2-15 minutes a half-dozen times a week. At age 21, while pregnant with her second child, they escalated into grand mal seizures. She was rarely able to be left alone, made a lot of confusing trips by ambulance to Emergency Rooms and, when she was old enough to drive, spent many years restricted from doing so.\r\n\r\nAs a young adult Heather wasn’t able to work, as employer risk for an on-site accident due to a seizure was too great. She took medications for both her seizures and diabetes that helped, but did not stop the constant medical interruptions in her life.\r\n\r\nFinally in 2009, at the age of 28, she underwent delicate brain surgery at Stanford University Medical Center that changed her life. Scar tissue was removed from the right side of her brain, and she has since had no reoccurrence of seizures. She began to think about a future free from the jarring Jack-in-the-box of frequent blackouts. Heather saw the key to her future in education.\r\n\r\nHeather enrolled in the <a title="SJVC Hanford" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/hanford/">Hanford</a> campus’s <a title="Medical Office" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office/">Administrative Health Care Management </a>program in July, 2012. Recently divorced, just starting to trust the possibility of living seizure-free and focusing on raising her two children, Adrianna and Gabriel, alone, Heather took a leap of faith in herself.\r\n\r\n“I wanted to send a message to my kids that I didn’t give up and that even if there are downfalls, if you work hard and focus on the positives you will find a way,” she says.\r\n\r\nIt is still not an easy road for Heather. She must wear an insulin pump at all times, carefully monitor her sugar and carbohydrate intake and test her blood sugar levels several times a day. Her doctors warn her that her seizures could return, especially if she has a lot of stress in her life. And, going back to school is pretty universally stressful.\r\n\r\n“My biggest problem is stressing about tests,” says Heather. “That can cause my blood sugar to drop, so I always have to carry something to eat, just in case.”\r\n\r\nGraduation is just about a month away and Heather can finally see her way to the finish line. Her mantra this past year has been “Just let me finish”, she says. And, now she is surprised it has come so quickly. Her next goal is to work in a medical billing office and enjoy the simple pleasures of independence that continued good health provides.', 'Physical Disabilities Are No Match For Student’s Determination', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'physical-disabilities-are-no-match-for-students-determination', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office/', '2014-10-17 12:45:22', '2014-10-17 19:45:22', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=903', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12356, 17, '2013-02-06 17:37:51', '2013-02-07 01:37:51', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Sumer-Jackson.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-994" title="Sumer Jackson" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Sumer-Jackson.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="220" /></a>Sumer Avila has a clear vision of what <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://sjvc.edu/fresno/">SJVC’s Fresno</a> campus can become. “As one of the first three campuses, the Fresno campus has enjoyed a long-standing position of accomplishment,” says Ms. Avila. “The timing is great for new leadership to take it to new heights.”\r\n\r\nHaving spent two very productive years as the Director of Instruction at the corporate office in Visalia, Ms. Avila was excited to get back among students and into a position that might impact them more precisely. “The most rewarding position in the institution is that of a Campus Director,” she says. “I want to play a direct role in transforming student lives through enrollment, graduation and job placement assistance.”\r\n\r\nMs. Avila’s education, experience in the field and affinity for hands-on leadership and team-building position her and her campus for great success. Her education includes a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, and she is currently working on her Doctorate, with plans to defend her dissertation in December, 2014.\r\n\r\nPrevious to <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>, Ms. Avila worked for almost ten years in public education as an administrator, where she honed her skills in staff development, stakeholder collaboration and quality education and service provision.\r\n\r\nAnd, there is a lot of change ahead for the Fresno campus. “My heart has always been in working with students and teams, those who are change agents,” says Avila, who vows to bring some fun and innovation back into Fresno’s campus life. Some exciting changes include:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>The campus is due for an aesthetic make-over and message boards, posters, student photos and display cabinets will be updated and brightened.</li>\r\n	<li>Classrooms will enjoy hi-tech ‘i-clickers, a student hand-held voting device that will allow instructors to poll students at any point to get immediate feedback on lesson understanding. It is a ‘thumb on the pulse’ tool that will guide instructors on pace, clarity and comprehension of their lessons/demonstrations.</li>\r\n	<li>A Bring-a-friend-to-class Day and Student Appreciation Day will be combined to increase the fun level. A ‘What not to Wear to an Interview’ fashion show is planned during which staff and faculty will model unsuitable business attire, while students will model appropriate dress-for-success looks.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nMs. Avila is often seen walking the Fresno campus halls to connect with students, observing classes and meeting with students. “I want to find out what we are doing that works for them, what contributes to their success, so that we can focus on more of those kinds of behaviors and practices,” she says.\r\n\r\nSumer Avila models the work ethic and leadership of her mentor, Wendy Mendes, SJVC’s Vice President of Administration and who will celebrate 35-years with the college this year. “She is the most inspiring person who demonstrates the greatest balance of unwavering pursuit of excellence with the admiration of and love for our students,” says Avila. “I look up to her for what she has accomplished.”\r\n\r\nSumer Avila knows something about balance. After a long work-day and on weekends she restores some of her energy and quiets her active mind with preparation for a local triathlon scheduled for April. Each week she spends about 10-hours swimming, biking and running in preparation of the big event.\r\n\r\nHer eyes are always on the prize, and her students and her campus are sure to benefit.', 'New Campus Director Settles Into Fresno', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'new-campus-director-settles-into-fresno', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:45:09', '2014-10-17 19:45:09', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=993', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12357, 17, '2013-02-08 20:54:55', '2013-02-08 20:54:55', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/BAK-Red-Day-451.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1044" title="BAK Red Day-45" alt="" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/BAK-Red-Day-451-300x200.jpg" width="300" height="200" /></a>Over 250 students got to take their educational experience a little more personally when SJVC’s Bakersfield campus held a <em>Go Red </em>resource fair to provide information about women’s heart and health issues. The event, held on Feb. 7<sup>th</sup> from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM provided a dozen booths that offered tips on healthy eating, staying fit and other ways to prevent the number one killer among women – heart disease.\r\n\r\nJudy Snyder, Allied Health Coordinator for the Bakersfield campus, saw the benefit of providing students, staff and faculty with an opportunity to learn more about this important women’s health issue and so spearheaded this event to promote awareness. “Planning gathered momentum quickly because so many of us, students and staff, have powerful personal stories of heart disease and its effect in our own families,” she says. “I promoted the idea because we train many students to save lives using BLS CPR, ACLS and PALS and I thought it was time to focus on healthy habits, restoration of good health, and breaking the familial cycles of heart disease.”\r\n\r\n“Our medical program students, especially, are used to studying about providing care for others, but this event gave them the chance to focus their attention on themselves and identify any health risks they might need to address,” added Melissa Gonzales, Dean of Student Services.\r\n\r\nA mobile clinic provided a screening that included height, weight, vitals and a cholesterol screening was particularly popular among students, staff and faculty. “A lot of our students had noted in their comment section that they were concerned about being overweight, and they were given lots of information about how to make healthier lifestyle and food choices,” says Gonzales. Obesity is a growing health threat nationwide.\r\n\r\n“It was fun and exciting to promote student health,” says Career Services Manager, Chelsea. “They were really engaged and it gave us the chance to connect with our students on a different level.”\r\n\r\nHeart disease affects more women than men, is deadlier than all forms of cancer combined and is the cause of death for 1 in 3 women. It affects women of all ages. For younger women, the combination of birth control pills and smoking boosts heart disease risks by 20 percent. And while the risks do increase with age, things like overeating and a sedentary lifestyle can cause plaque to accumulate and lead to clogged arteries later in life.\r\n\r\nSymptoms of a heart attack include:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Uncomfortable squeezing, pressure, fullness or pain in the center of your chest</li>\r\n	<li>Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach</li>\r\n	<li>Shortness of breath</li>\r\n	<li>Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n“I think it is something, as young people, we need to be aware of because my father passed away of a heart attack at 31, so it doesn’t matter how young you are,” says Amber Shaw, HCIS student.\r\n\r\n“The goal of our health resource fair was to take health conditions to the next level of understanding and provide information for follow-up care,” says Gonzales.\r\n\r\nA dress-down day also allowed students to raise money to donate to the American Heart Association.', 'Bakersfield campus holds Go Red for Women event', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'bakersfield-campus-holds-go-red-for-women-event', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:44:31', '2014-10-17 19:44:31', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1042', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12358, 17, '2013-02-12 16:57:33', '2013-02-12 16:57:33', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/aviation-preschool1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1052" title="aviation preschool" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/aviation-preschool1-290x290.jpg" alt="" width="290" height="290" /></a>Wooden airplanes were crashing everywhere, as the 3-5 year olds tried their budding piloting skills during a recent <em>Parent Career Fair </em>at Northside Preschool in Clovis. Jason Alves, SJVC’s Aviation program’s Academic Dean and Program Director, Richard Simmons, introduced potential Aviation students – Class of 2027 or so – to the thrill of flight and the eventuality of aircraft repair, with the SJVC promotional paper airplanes they gave the excited group.\r\n\r\nDuring the question-and-answer part of the presentation, almost all of the 15-young students raised their hands when Mr. Alves asked how many had ever flown in an airplane. Many had traveled to Hawaii and some to the Caribbean. “The kids really wanted to know which tools in their toy toolbox were used to fix airplanes,” says Alves.\r\n\r\nRichard Simmons talked to the preschoolers about aviation careers and aircraft mechanics and then entertained them with the deft maneuvering of three radio-controlled helicopters. “The kids loved watching the helicopters buzz around,” says Alves.\r\n\r\n“We were not there to sign up new prospects for the college, but maybe we planted some seeds that might inspire some of these kids to seek an aviation career at SJVC in the future,” says Jason Alves, whose son, Trig, was one of the Northside preschoolers in attendance. “It’s never too early to promote the benefits of a college education.”', 'More Training Needed for Airplane Enthusiasts', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'more-training-needed-for-airplane-enthusiasts', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:44:15', '2014-10-17 19:44:15', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1050', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12359, 17, '2013-02-14 17:04:36', '2013-02-14 17:04:36', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/SJVC-Dog-House.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1056" title="SJVC Dog House" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/SJVC-Dog-House-290x290.jpg" alt="" width="290" height="290" /></a> Thanks to Construction Management students, Antonio Escobedo, Eddie Hernandez and Miguel Urbina some lucky dog has a new, upscale place to call home.\r\n\r\nAll three <a title="SJVC Rancho Cucamonga" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cucamonga/">Rancho Cucamonga </a>CM students volunteered their design and construction skills to build an elaborate pet house for an auction and raffle supporting HomeAid Inland Empire, a non-profit organization affiliated with the home-building industry that provides housing for homeless and low-income families. “They had a great time doing it and appreciated the process and final product,” says Steve Matley, CM Program Director.\r\n\r\nIn keeping with their educational experience at <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>, the students chose to design an old fashioned, cartoon style schoolhouse, complete with a working school bell. The finished school house was 6 feet long, 4 feet wide and over 6 feet tall, and weighed over 700 lbs.  The students attached large industrial locking casters to make it easier to move. The students also hand-painted a window image on the side of the school house depicting Snoopy, of the comic strip <em>Peanuts</em> fame, as a jailbird with his faithful pal Woodstock bringing him keys to escape. A sturdy wood-grain and water-resistant linoleum porch will give someone’s favorite pet a nice place to sit and protect his domain.\r\n\r\nThe SJVC doghouse took about a week to design and a couple of weekends to build. “They were proud of their work,” says Matley. Their well-crafted design was on display, with about a dozen other pet house contributions, at the Eastvale Shopping Center for two weeks.\r\n\r\nThe SJVC students, all members of the San Joaquin Valley College Chapter of the NAHB (National Association of Homebuilders), partnered with the local Building Industry Association (BIA-SC, BV) and the Homebuilders Institute (HBI) mentoring program. They provided the funding and the SJVC students provided the design and construction.  The students completed the project within the $1200.00 budget and delivered it to the display and auction event where a very happy couple and their dog won themselves a pet house that will be the envy of the neighborhood.\r\n\r\nAll of the proceeds went to HomeAid, a very appreciative beneficiary of the event.', 'A Dog''s Life Just Got a Little Better', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-dogs-life-just-got-a-little-better', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:44:01', '2014-10-17 19:44:01', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1055', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12360, 17, '2013-02-14 19:37:23', '2013-02-14 19:37:23', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Maria-Moreno.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1063" title="Maria Moreno" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Maria-Moreno-290x290.jpg" alt="" width="261" height="261" /></a>At the completion of her first <a title="Medical Office" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office/">Administrative Health Care Management</a> program module Maria Moreno was strongly considering dropping out. She had failed her mid-term and barely passed her final with a “D”. She hadn’t been a student since graduating from high school 13-years earlier, and the accelerated program and high expectations of her instructor were proving to be just too much.\r\n\r\n“I was nervous, overwhelmed and stressed,” says Maria, whose Terminology Part II class left her bewildered. “I had no idea what I was doing and the words were like a different language to me.”\r\n\r\nHer lack of academic success forced her to take a hard look at her decision to return to school after such a long absence. She dug in. “I can’t quit like this,” she thought. “This is my future, my career, and I’m not going to let this scare me away.” Instead, she looked at how she could better balance her life as a wife, mother and student. Something was going to have to change, and she needed help from her husband, Felipe, and her six boys, ranging in age from 1-14 years old, to make it work.\r\n\r\nFelipe had encouraged Maria to go to college and jumped in to take care of the house and kids – even cooking, while balancing his own business. But their older boys weren’t so sure. “Aren’t you too old for that?” they asked. That did it. Maria was determined to show her children the importance of sacrifice and of finishing what you start. “I want to be an example for my kids,” says Maria. “I want them to say, ‘If my mom can do it, I can do it.’”  No excuses.\r\n\r\nMaria gives it everything she’s got. She usually only has an hour of family time each night, then she hits the books until around 2:00 am. Weekends are spent using flash cards and study guides to make sure she is getting all of the material down. She went from a 1.8 GPA to earning As in all her classes.\r\n\r\nHer kids are quietly taking notice and have gone from their own feelings of low self-confidence to dreams of a better life they might create. “They are all saying, ‘I want to be this, or do that’”, she says. “One wants to get a Business degree to open his own pawn shop, one wants to work for the FBI, and another wants to be a CHP,” says Maria. Suddenly anything is possible.\r\n\r\nMaria isn’t through dreaming either. After she completes the AHCM certificate program, she will go directly into the degree-granting program. She has hopes of starting her own medical billing and coding business one day. No one doubts she will do it.', 'Overwhelmed Student Decides To Stick It Out', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'overwhelmed-students-decides-to-stick-it-out', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:43:47', '2014-10-17 19:43:47', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1062', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12361, 17, '2013-02-19 16:31:26', '2013-02-19 16:31:26', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Barbara-Sousa.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1068" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Barbara-Sousa-290x290.jpg" alt="Barbara Sousa" width="290" height="290" /></a>Two things threatened Barbara Sousa’s dream to enroll at <a title="SJVC" href="http://sjvc.edu">SJVC</a> in Hanford: she didn’t have a ‘green card’ and she had only begun to learn English four years earlier as a high school sophomore. And, without a Permanent Resident card, Barbara would not qualify for Financial Aid or student loans. She was crushed – but not deterred.\r\n\r\nBarbara Sousa and her parents, Joao and Albertina, came to the U.S. from Portugal in 2007 with the hope of a better life. Her dad began work at a local dairy and Barbara was thrust into a school with classmates and a language she didn’t know. She cried every day and begged her parents to take her back to the familiarity of her home country.  “They just kept telling me that my tears would be worth it,” says Barbara. As she began to learn English, make new friends and earn good grades in school, she started to believe them.\r\n\r\nEncouraged by her success in high school, Barbara wanted to go to the next level. “I analyzed my options and realized that I wanted something fast, where I could get in, get out and get ahead,” she says. She found the school of her dreams to be SJVC. However, during the enrollment process she found that, without a Permanent Resident card or I.D. she could not become a student. Heartbroken, she stepped back to plan a new course of action.\r\n\r\nArmed with renewed determination and the immigration process in full motion, Barbara was accepted into the Administrative Health Care Management program. Over the course of her AHCM program she excelled academically, earning a 4.0 GPA, Perfect Attendance and Dean’s List awards and was a National Technical Honor Society member. She also earned her Permanent Resident status from the INS.\r\n\r\nBut all of this success did not come easily to Barbara. Without Financial Aid, the financial burden on her and her family was considerable. Barbara worked as a house and office cleaner, babysitter, helper on the dairy and was one of Santa’s elves during the Christmas holiday to contribute everything she could to what her parents paid each month. “There are really no words to describe how much I appreciate them and what they’ve done for me,” says Barbara.\r\n\r\nBarbara’s parents are her motivation to push herself to succeed. “I saw how hard it is for my parents to get what they have,” she says. Her parents, with only an elementary school education, knew that their daughter’s future depended on her education. Barbara is the first to graduate high school and earn a college degree in her immediate family.\r\n\r\nNot surprisingly, Barbara was asked to speak at her graduation ceremony last October. Her voice was an inspiration when she said, “Things can get tough to the point that you feel like giving up. But always remember, when one door closes, two more will open.”\r\n\r\n“I believe that God has a plan for all of us,” says Barbara. “And, I’m taking advantage of everything He has given me.”', 'Student Pushes Through Without Financial Aid', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'student-pushes-through-without-financial-aid', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:43:35', '2014-10-17 19:43:35', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1067', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12362, 17, '2013-02-26 17:44:14', '2013-02-26 17:44:14', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/553382_159681270840807_351391281_n.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1075" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/553382_159681270840807_351391281_n.jpg" alt="553382_159681270840807_351391281_n" width="213" height="206" /></a>Anthony Garcia found more than a career path when he began the <a title="Medical Office" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office/">Administrative Health Care Management</a> program in <a title="SJVC Temecula" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula">Temecula</a>. He found the courage, which steadfastly eluded him throughout high school, to come out as a gay man.\r\n\r\nAnthony was determined to start his new school with the truth of who he is and not “clam up”, as he had all his life, about something so important to his identity. “When I finally told some classmates straight out that I was gay they said, ‘Oh, we don’t care,’” says Anthony. Their attitude was a big shift from those he endured the previous year when word of his sexual orientation began to surface. “2011 was the worst year of my life,” he says. But, it was also a year of great promise for positive change.\r\n\r\nAnthony’s parents were hardest hit with his disclosure. “It took my mom awhile to accept it, but now she is very supportive,” he says. Anthony went through a few months of self-destructive behaviors that friends helped pull him through. “Friends helped me in the first months of coming out by texting and making sure I was alright,” he says. “Their support made me feel more accepted.” He decided, “If this is who you are, you should not be afraid to express it; and people who love you will still be there for you.”\r\n\r\nSchool was his refuge and he began to open up to others. “I became more outgoing, not afraid to be myself and would talk to and be friends with anybody,” he says. Anthony was given the Notable Newbie Award for reaching out to other students and helping them to do well. His own academic performance excelled. Never a very good student in high school, he was surprised to find himself making As and Bs in his coursework. “Seeing my grades made me feel even more confident and like this is really right for me,” he says. His parents are very proud of his accomplishments, as well.\r\n\r\nAnthony gives a lot of credit to the culture of a private college compared to a community education system. “It’s like coming into a family with all that support behind you,” he says. “I would love for those who are afraid to go to school because of their sexual orientation to not be afraid,” he says. “Everyone here welcomed me with open arms.”\r\n\r\nAsthmatic throughout his childhood, Anthony is eager to enter the medical field and help others struggling with health issues. What is his greatest inspiration? “Life is my biggest inspiration; seeing the world another day; helping people another day,” says Anthony.\r\n\r\nHis commitment to being an ‘open book’ has many more heartfelt chapters unfolding.', 'Student Finds Courage To Be Himself', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'student-finds-courage-to-be-himself', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:43:20', '2014-10-17 19:43:20', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1074', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12363, 17, '2013-02-26 18:27:58', '2013-02-26 18:27:58', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/CAMA-PICTURE.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1079" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/CAMA-PICTURE-290x290.jpg" alt="CAMA PICTURE" width="290" height="290" /></a>When students at the Lancaster campus walked into Ms. Beneby’s classroom last Wednesday, a feeling of nervousness and excitement was in the air. <a title="Medical Assistant" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/">Medical Assisting </a>(MA) students were told that this week they would assist a medical provider in applying and removing sutures (stitches) from a healing laceration. In preparation for this lab, students were to bring in a pig’s foot, the specimen selected to receive the procedure. Although, a pig’s foot may seem unconventional, it is actually the perfect material for students to use in training because the skin is extremely similar to that of a human. Students would be able to test their skills on material that closely replicates the properties of human skin. MA students jumped at the chance to have this real-life experience and practice this valuable skill.\r\n\r\nJust as they would when at work in a medical office, students performed a surgical scrub and ''gowned-up'', ensuring physical protection with surgical masks, gowns, caps, and gloves. The class learned the importance of sterilization and protection from transferred contaminants, for both patient and medical provider safety. Protective gear and sterilized instruments  are a large part of that safety precaution. With the students professionally outfitted and poised with proper tools, the wound treatment and suturing began.\r\n\r\nUnder their supervising instructor''s watchful eyes and instructive voice, students kept steady hands, as they exercised and explored different techniques for this procedure. In this simulation, one student assisted a student-doctor who applied sutures to the specimen, while another student dabbed the bleeding laceration with gauze. What began at the start of the lab as many nervous students uncertain about what to do, ended with many who had gained a great deal of confidence in their new-found abilities. Ms. Beneby''s calm instruction put the students at ease and helped them to become comfortable with the ins and outs of suturing. (A little stitching pun.) At the end of the procedure, students were reluctant to get rid of their little lab subjects that had become a symbol of this medical milestone and their fun at its mastering.\r\n\r\n“Excitement with a side of fear,” is how one student described her feelings going in to this lab. Students were up for the challenge of the assignment and knew that one day soon they would be doing this as a common service of their chosen profession. Keeping up their skills now will only make working in a medical office easier when they eventually step into that role. Student’s know that the training they receive in class will benefit them in the work place and give them a huge advantage when competing for top medical assisting positions once they graduate.', 'This Little Piggy Went To...Lab', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'this-little-piggy-went-to-lab', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/', '2014-10-17 12:42:45', '2014-10-17 19:42:45', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1078', 0, 'post', '', 0);
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(12364, 17, '2013-02-06 23:55:18', '2013-02-07 07:55:18', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC05569.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1086" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC05569-290x290.jpg" alt="DSC05569" width="290" height="290" /></a>Staff and faculty at the Hesperia campus are all on board for a <i>Go Green</i> campaign to replace Styrofoam cups in their employee lounge with travel mugs and lids. Misty Christensen, Dean of Student Services, came up with the idea in a management meeting when Facilities Manager, Mike Shuster, asked for ways the college might decrease supplies spending by 5% over the next year.\r\n\r\n“It just makes sense and would be fairly easy to do,” says Misty. Everyone agreed. Monday, Feb. 11<sup>th</sup> is the target date for the conversion. The approximately 80 staff and faculty members will bring their mugs from home to enjoy during breaks and find them fresh out of the dishwasher at the start of each new day.\r\n\r\nBut, the campaign impacts more than the fairly modest cost-savings realized from taking Styrofoam cups off the supply list. “Styrofoam cannot be completely recycled and will pile up in landfills for 500 years,” says Misty. “Also, when it is heated the harmful chemicals in Styrofoam can leach out into hot food.” The advantages of replacing Styrofoam cups are threefold: curbs costs, protects the environment and provides health benefits.\r\n\r\nStyrofoam is the brand name of a plastic product whose generic name is polystyrene. Here are a few facts that convinced SJVC staff and faculty to kick the Styrofoam habit.\r\n\r\n<b>Health effects:</b>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, and weakness, and can cause minor effects on kidney function and blood. Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).*</li>\r\n	<li>This material is notorious for breaking up into pieces that choke animals and clog their digestive systems.*</li>\r\n	<li>Toxic chemicals leach out of these products into the food that they contain (especially when heated in a microwave). These chemicals threaten human health and reproductive systems.*</li>\r\n	<li>These products are made with petroleum, a non-sustainable and heavily polluting resource.*</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Earth effects:</b>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Americans throw away 25,000,000,000 Styrofoam coffee cups every year. **</li>\r\n	<li>Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. According to Washington University, Styrofoam takes 500 years to decompose; it cannot be recycled, so the Styrofoam cups dumped in landfills are there to stay. With enough Styrofoam cups produced each day to circle the earth if lined up end to end, the potential for major ecological impact is great.**</li>\r\n	<li>Polystyrene recycling is not "closed loop" - collected polystyrene cups are not remanufactured into cups, but into other products, such as packing filler and cafeteria trays. This means that more resources will have to be used, and more pollution created, to produce more polystyrene cups.*</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n“I never liked seeing all the Styrofoam cups in the trash can and am happy we are all going to do something about it,” says Misty.\r\n\r\nThis just may be an idea that catches fire. Already the campus is looking at ways to take the green plunge even deeper. Creative thinking includes the possibility of recycling in the student break room, declaring a Paper-free Day for the school where all of the usual paper-driven correspondence and assignments are done electronically, and introducing a carpool initiative that builds a database to promote student ride-sharing. The side benefit to a sophisticated ride-share system is the potential to impact student attendance, enrollment/census and a positive effect on the environment with decreased auto emissions.\r\n\r\nHesperia staff and faculty launching the <i>Go Green </i>campaign are using posters, e-mail reminders and active word-of-mouth to keep the momentum strong.\r\n\r\nIf all the SJVC campuses take Hesperia’s prototype and make it work on their campuses, an even greater dent will be made toward costs, environmental concerns and individual health.\r\n\r\n*Source - Earth Resource Foundation – Costa Mesa, CA\r\n\r\n**Source - Live Strong\r\n\r\n&nbsp;', 'Hesperia Campus Goes Green', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'hesperia-campus-goes-green', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:44:45', '2014-10-17 19:44:45', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1085', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12365, 17, '2013-03-05 16:41:36', '2013-03-05 16:41:36', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Angie-Gonzalez.png"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1091" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Angie-Gonzalez-290x290.png" alt="Angie Gonzalez" width="290" height="290" /></a>Angie Gonzales’s 30<sup>th</sup> birthday was about to hit and she wasn’t happy about it.\r\n\r\n“I was sitting around at home after work every day, wanting to do something more with my life, but I didn’t have the education,” says Angie. “I felt like I was watching my life go by.”\r\n\r\nMany people might sit quietly in their discontent, or wail at the walls, but not Angie. Birthday or not, she thought, “I’m still young.” And, she set out to make a big change. She enrolled in the <a title="Pharmacy Technology" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/pharmacy-technology/">Pharmacy Technology</a> program at the <a title="SJVC Bakersfield" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield/">Bakersfield campus</a>.\r\n\r\nShe loves the small class sizes and credits the extra focus given by teachers and close-knit student friendships with getting her through the tough spots. Things got off to a good start with her first instructor, Wendy Kolb, who made sure Angie knew she would always be in her corner. “She was always there for me with math, encouragement, anything I needed – even a reference when I graduate,” says Angie. “All the support I’ve received from teachers and students is probably why I’m still here. All my teachers make sure I understand the material.”\r\n\r\nThere’s another very big reason for Angie’s commitment to her education and the better life it will provide. Angie’s 8-year old daughter, Aleyna, is always on her mind. “I want to make sure she is happy and that I can provide for her,” says Angie. “I also want to be a role-model for her so that she knows she can go to college and graduate, too.” Angie is the first among her 5-siblings to go to college and she wants her effort to make a positive impression on Aleyna.\r\n\r\nStill, the road isn’t easy. Angie works full-time for a cardiologist from 8:00-5:00 every day and goes to class from 5:30-10:15, Monday-Thursday. She knows she wouldn’t be able to hold that kind of schedule without the help of her parents, who provide a home for her and Aleyna. “Without guidance, encouragement and support from my parents, I would not have accomplished what I have today,” says Angie. “They take good care of my daughter and I can’t thank them enough.”\r\n\r\nLeaving every day, all day isn’t easy. “Aleyna asks me to stop going to school and please stay home,” says Angie. “But, I tell her that I’m doing this for us, for a better future.” They are almost there.\r\n\r\n"It was a great experience overall, and I’m glad to have taken that step to continue my education and improve my life", says Angie.', 'A Birthday Wake-up Call', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-birthday-wake-up-call', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield/', '2014-10-17 12:42:15', '2014-10-17 19:42:15', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1090', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12366, 17, '2013-03-05 20:15:02', '2013-03-05 20:15:02', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/TShirt-Image-01.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1095" alt="TShirt Image-01" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/TShirt-Image-01-290x290.jpg" width="290" height="290" /></a>The Online campus is making the most of <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>’s new inspirational t-shirts by giving them to students who need a little lift in spirit. The motivational messages on the tees are speaking to student struggles and reminding them that their sacrifices are worth it.\r\n\r\n“One student called us right away when she received her <i>‘Never Give Up!’ </i>T-shirt to thank us and let us know that, even though she had been struggling, she was able to pass her course with a ‘B’,” says Nickie Acevedo, Administrative Assistant to the Deans. A little encouragement at just the right time can make a difference.\r\n\r\nThe T-shirts are gifted through the <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.eduonline" target="_blank">Online</a> campus’s Student Support Fund, which committee members use to help students with small but pressing financial needs, or who deserve recognition, or a little reward for outstanding work. In addition to T-shirts, the Student Support Fund might help students with a gas card, bus pass, baby diapers or maybe a gift card to help purchase an outfit appropriate for a job interview.  Students on the Dean’s List might get one of the new motivational T-shirts or some other treat in recognition of their hard work.\r\n\r\nThe Online campus raises money for the Student Services Fund by having lunch sales, selling snacks and through other campus initiatives.\r\n\r\nThis new line of colorful, student-savvy tees is available for purchase for $6.00, using Paypal or a credit card on SJVC’s Facebook page: <a title="SJVC on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/sjvcs" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/sjvcs</a>.  There is no charge for shipping if you pick up your purchase at your campus Student Center; otherwise it is $4.00 for shipping it elsewhere. SJVC is selling the T-shirts at cost – plus a dollar donation to a fellow campus. You can ‘browse the racks’ at <a title="SJVC T-shirt Store" href="https://www.facebook.com/SJVCs/app_515661228485859" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/SJVCs/app_515661228485859</a>.\r\n\r\nThe Online campus is the first to enjoy the proceeds from March sales and hope to replenish their Student Support Fund, which has only been in operation for a couple of months. Each month a new campus will be the beneficiary of a dollar from each T-shirt sale to use for their campus fund. And, we’re hoping the bucks add up fast.\r\n\r\nJust know that when you buy and wear one of SJVC’s new, inspirational T-shirts, you are showing school pride and helping other students through a rough patch, at the same time. Looking good…feeling good.  Helping, celebrating each other in our global SJVC family.', 'Looking Good...Feeling Good', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'looking-good-feeling-good', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:41:36', '2014-10-17 19:41:36', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1094', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12367, 17, '2013-03-11 21:40:23', '2013-03-12 04:40:23', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/AAAAA.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1108" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/AAAAA-290x290.jpg" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" width="290" height="290" /></a>Twenty-eight fourth-term <a title="Respiratory Therapy" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/">Respiratory Therapy</a> students and two faculty members from the <a title="SJVC Rancho Cordova" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova/">Rancho Cordova</a> campus visited Sacramento Hyperbarics, a privately-owned hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) clinic recently. They were treated to an overview of the history of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, learned about the various diseases and injuries whose treatment benefits from HBOT, as well as reimbursement strategies.\r\n\r\nTwo patients consented to being observed by the students during their treatment sessions. Another patient volunteered to speak to the students about his personal experience with HBOT.\r\n\r\nThe students were then introduced to George Visger, a former member of the San Francisco 49’ers and Super Bowl winner. George is a biologist and advocate for Traumatic Brain Injury. Because of the multiple brain injuries he sustained over the course of his football career, George underwent extensive treatments with HBOT, which greatly aided his recovery. He now travels around the country, speaking to various medical groups and others, in an effort to raise awareness of the benefits of HBOT for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. George spoke to the students at length, which made the field trip event more memorable for everyone.\r\n\r\nWe are grateful for the generous welcome we received from Sacramento Hyperbarics and their patients. We look forward to visiting them again with future cohorts.', 'Field Trip To Sacramento Hyperbarics', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'field-trip-to-sacramento-hyperbarics', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova/', '2014-10-17 12:41:22', '2014-10-17 19:41:22', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1107', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12368, 17, '2013-03-12 16:10:59', '2013-03-12 16:10:59', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Honor-Society.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1112" alt="Honor Society" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Honor-Society-290x290.jpg" width="290" height="290" /></a>Heads held high, seven <a title="SJVC Bakersfield" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield/" target="_blank">Bakersfield</a> students received the highest acclaim of induction into the National Technical Honor Society, during a ceremony held on campus last month. Eligibility for induction includes a minimum 90% attendance rate, 3.5 GPA and completion of a community service component. Those seven students are:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>John Montoya, Pharmacy Technology</li>\r\n	<li>Gabriela Gastelum, Health Care Insurance Specialist</li>\r\n	<li>Andrea Vigil, Health Care Insurance Specialist</li>\r\n	<li>Heidi Albarillo, Diagnostic Medical Sonography</li>\r\n	<li>Joe Flores Villaneuva, Pharmacy Technology</li>\r\n	<li>Valerie Garcia, Health Care Insurance Specialist</li>\r\n	<li>Sahara Sanchez, Business Administration</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nStudents’ friends and family attended the candlelight ceremony and watched them recite the induction pledge. Inductees receive a certificate of membership, special scholarship opportunities, letter of recognition for potential employers or education facilities, lifetime membership in the Honor Society and are allowed to wear the distinguishing regalia of stole and tassel at their graduation ceremony.\r\n\r\n“It’s a really proud moment for our students and their families,” says Melissa Gonzales, Dean of Student Services at the Bakersfield campus. “It’s very austere and nice that they receive this honor in front of their families.”\r\n\r\nIn addition to academic and attendance qualifiers, students perform a minimum of 30-community service hours in areas of need, such as hospitals and homeless shelters and with various <a title="San Joaquin Valley College" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a> events and functions, such as New Student Orientation tours.\r\n\r\nSJVC’s National Technical Honor Society members are acknowledged at graduation ceremonies twice each year and receive a special certificate of accomplishment.', 'Honor Society Ceremony Held On Bakersfield Campus', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'honor-society-ceremony-held-on-bakersfield-campus', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:41:08', '2014-10-17 19:41:08', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1111', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12369, 17, '2013-03-12 17:04:39', '2013-03-13 00:04:39', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/WP_000207-1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1121" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/WP_000207-1-290x290.jpg" alt="WP_000207-1" width="290" height="290" /></a>“Sitting is not one of my best qualities; I like to keep moving at all times,” says Tiffany Sherrill. That explains a lot. It explains how Tiffany has managed to get her Certified Nursing Assistant training (2008), survive a head-on car crash (2009), stay afloat after a divorce that left her the sole supporter of her seven children (2009) and still enroll in <a title="SJVC Medical Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/" target="_blank">SJVC’s Clinical Medical Assisting program</a> in which she consistently made the Dean’s List and earned Perfect Attendance at the Hanford campus.\r\n\r\nTiffany’s now nine children, ranging in age from 3-months to 11-years old, see her energy and focus in action every day. “I tell them, if I can do it, they can do it,” she says. “I don’t allow my kids to miss anything they don’t have to. I make it to school every day so they can too.” Her fiancé, Armando, is also a big help. “He works days and kept the kids at night, while I was at school,” says Tiffany, who just completed her program’s externship. Their son, Kaleo, was born toward the end of her program. Tiffany’s mom, Vicky, was there for her every step of the way, as well.\r\n\r\nBut Tiffany’s story goes much deeper. Her love of the medical field and her need to care for others can be traced to her grandparents, whom she would visit summers in Oklahoma, while she was in elementary school. Tiffany’s grandmother, Ruth, spent 30-years working in a nursing home, caring for the elderly, and Tiffany grew up helping to feed and cheer those in her grandmother’s care. “She taught me that it doesn’t matter what life brings, you just have to rise to the occasion,” says Tiffany, who took that message to heart.\r\n\r\nTiffany’s grandfather, Charles, was another source of inspiration. When she was 7 or 8 years old she helped him deliver a foal that was trapped within the mare’s placenta. “I tore him out of the bag and saved his life,” she says. “And, I promised my grandfather right then that I would make a life out of saving the lives of others.”\r\n\r\nShe is well on her way. When Tiffany graduates this April, she is already planning her next move up the medical career ladder by focusing on pre-requisites needed to enroll in an RN program. “I love drawing blood and working directly with patients,” she says. “What I write down in their charts is what the doctor needs to begin to treat them.”\r\n\r\nWherever she puts her considerable skill and determination, she will make certain that her children benefit along the way. Not only will they have a more comfortable life in the home Tiffany hopes to buy one day, but they will benefit from being close to the force of nature and source of wisdom that comes directly to them from their mother, their inspiration. She tells them, “Remember, if you reach for the stars, you’ll never accept anything less.”', 'Nine Children Motivate Student Toward Better Life', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'nine-children-motivate-student-toward-better-life', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/', '2014-10-17 12:40:54', '2014-10-17 19:40:54', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1120', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12370, 17, '2013-03-19 16:07:33', '2013-03-19 16:07:33', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Kylie-Johnson.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1128" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Kylie-Johnson-290x290.jpg" alt="Kylie Johnson" width="290" height="290" /></a>Kylie Johnson had always worked in a criminal justice environment, starting with the Bakersfield Police’s Explorers program and finally in the US Army’s Military Police. But, after exploring her options with an <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a> admissions advisor, she found herself drawn to the <a title="Dental Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/dental-assistant/" target="_blank">Dental Assisting program</a>. Shortly after starting the DA program, she knew it was the right move.\r\n\r\n“I loved it,” says Kylie, who at first thought the 14-month program would feel like forever. “Once it got going, it went really fast,” she says. “The teachers knew what they were doing and made sure we understood everything. They were always there for us.”\r\n\r\nIt didn’t take long for Kylie to find kindred spirits among the other DA students. “We were all there for the same thing,” she says. That shared goal brought them closer together. When Kylie was having trouble getting to school on time because her son’s pre-school was so far away, someone suggested one that fit perfectly with Kylie’s schedule.\r\n\r\nKylie’s husband, Zachary is in the military and was stationed in So. Korea, for most of the time Kylie was in the DA program. Kylie and their 3-year old son, Aiden, lived with her mom, Lisa and Kylie’s sister, Samantha, who both pitched in to make school possible. “I had great family support,” says Kylie who used her mom’s car to get to and from school.\r\n\r\nKylie took two important things away from her experience at SJVC: “I learned so much in the DA program and met some great people along the way.”\r\n\r\nA lifelong resident of Bakersfield, Kylie recently moved with Zachary and Aiden to Colorado, where Zachary is currently stationed. They will be there for at least three of Zachary’s 6-year tour. “It’s time for me to get back to work,” says Kylie, who is looking forward to her first job in her new industry. She only plans to work as a Dental Assistant for a few years, however. “I want to advance my career and go back to school to get my DDS,” says Kylie.\r\n\r\nIt is important to Kylie to prove herself both in her field and as a provider for her family. “It’s a different kind of pride for you to say that you can do that, too,” she says.\r\n\r\nKylie isn’t sure if she can return to Bakersfield for the graduation ceremony in March. She didn’t get to walk across a stage for her high school graduation, getting her GED and enlisting in the Army instead. If Kylie isn’t able to make the trip back to share the stage with her fellow DA graduates, she wants to tell them something. “Thank you guys for being such a great support team. When I thought I would never get to the end, you helped me so much.”', 'Career Path Takes Sudden Turn', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'career-path-takes-sudden-turn', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:40:39', '2014-10-17 19:40:39', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1127', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12371, 17, '2013-03-19 16:26:03', '2013-03-19 16:26:03', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Visalia-New-Year-Scholarships.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1133" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Visalia-New-Year-Scholarships-290x290.jpg" alt="Visalia New Year Scholarships" width="290" height="290" /></a>Fourteen students at SJVC’s <a title="SJVC Visalia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/" target="_blank">Visalia</a> campus were proud recipients of <i>2013 New Year, New Career </i>scholarships. “I had to quit my job to be able to attend SJVC full-time and I was concerned about making ends meet,” says Christa Cunningham, <a title="Respiratory Therapy program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapy</a> student and scholarship recipient. “This scholarship was very helpful to me, because it allows me to focus completely on getting my degree and doing well in my program, without the added worry of finances."\r\n\r\nThe scholarship program was introduced in July, 2012 as a way to celebrate 2013’s first start date and benefit some of those students beginning their new career path. Over subsequent months, Visalia Admissions Teams earned scholarship funds with each new student enrolled who was scheduled to start on January 28<sup>th</sup>. All of those students were encouraged to apply for a scholarship, which ranged in value from $500 to $1,500.\r\n\r\nThe <i>2013 New Year, New Career </i>scholarship program generated a lot of excitement among Admissions Teams, as they built the award fund to $8,400.\r\n\r\nA selection committee, comprised of SJVC staff and faculty, chose scholarship award recipients based primarily upon student responses to two essay questions on their applications. Student responses helped the committee to better understand the goals, obstacles and determination those students held for their successful college experience.\r\n\r\nScholarship recipients received a tuition credit in their first academic year at SJVC for the award amount. Those 14-students are:\r\n\r\nPrisilla Garcia-Ramos, Health Care Administration\r\nCynthia Guerrero, Medical Assisting\r\nJonathan Hernandez, Industrial Technology\r\nChristina Patala, Medical Assisting\r\nKristine Ramirez, Medical Assisting\r\nNoelia Ramirez, Medical Assisting\r\nAmanda Robles, Business Administration\r\nAshley Washington, Medical Assisting\r\nVanessa Vasquez, Medical Assisting\r\nSara Brittsan, Respiratory Therapy\r\nJamie Cornstock, Respiratory Therapy\r\nEdgar Gonzalez, Medical Assisting\r\nAlyssa Stephens, Medical Assisting\r\nChrista Cunningham, Respiratory Therapy', '2013 New Year, New Career Scholarships', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', '2013-new-year-new-career-scholarships', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:40:22', '2014-10-17 19:40:22', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1132', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12372, 17, '2013-03-26 17:33:48', '2013-03-26 17:33:48', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_1818.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1142" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_1818-290x290.jpg" alt="IMG_1818" width="290" height="290" /></a><a title="Medical Assisting Program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/" target="_blank">Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting</a> students at the <a title="SJVC Bakersfield" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield/" target="_blank">Bakersfield</a> campus have been working hard these last few months to raise money through bake sales and food sales for <i>The Forgotten Initiative </i>for their local Kern County Foster Children agency. Spearheaded by the CAMA Club, fundraising activities brought in over $1,000. so far for “Journey Bags”, backpacks that are filled with necessities for those infants and children transitioning from an unsafe home to foster care.\r\n\r\nEvening CAMA students did such an incredible job of raising the greatest share of money for the bags that “the CAMA Club wanted to give something back to the evening students for their support and donations to this important cause,” says Steven Prince, CAMA instructor and Club Advisor. They decided to surprise them with a ‘Thank-you Dinner’ to show their appreciation.  Almost 150-students and faculty enjoyed hot dogs, chips, sodas and home-made desserts. Evening CAMA student, Pristina Moreno, couldn’t remember day students ever providing dinner for evening students, so it was quite a treat for all.\r\n\r\nThe fundraising has been so successful that the CAMA Club has decided to extend fundraising for <i>The Forgotten Initiative’s </i>Journey Bags until the end of April. The backpacks are filled with items such as toothbrush and toothpaste, towel, wash cloth, body wash, socks, blanket, a stuffed animal (for younger kids) and a journal for older kids to express their thoughts, fears and hopes for their future. Each backpack also includes a personal note written by a CAMA student, offering encouragement.\r\n\r\nThe CAMA Club is looking forward to presenting a number of filled Journey Bags to the Kern County Foster Children agency at the completion of the campaign.', 'CAMA Club Rewards Evening Students For Support', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'cama-club-rewards-evening-students-for-support', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/', '2014-10-17 12:39:53', '2014-10-17 19:39:53', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1140', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12373, 17, '2013-03-28 22:46:59', '2013-03-28 22:46:59', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/photo-1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1158" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/photo-1-290x290.jpg" alt="photo-1" width="290" height="290" /></a>Jaspreet (Jessy) Manak, RRT will be the first to tell you that she was spread very thin those last couple of months before she graduated from <a title="SJVC Rancho Cordova" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova/">Rancho Cordova</a>’s Respiratory Therapy program in November. During her 4<sup>th</sup> term Jessy organized a <a title="Respiratory Therapy" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/">Respiratory Therapy</a> event at the Yuba City Sikh Parade. “At the same time we were taking mid-terms, finals and practice exams for our CRT and RRT certifications, and I was at my breaking point,” says Jessy. “I wouldn’t have made it through the program without my classmates- that turned into an extraordinary group of friends.”\r\n\r\nDuring times of stress she pulls her family’s love and wisdom around her and remembers their struggles and encouragement. “I was 7-years old when my Dad (Joginder) died, so my mom, Baljit, raised my younger brother, Shaun, and me by herself for many years,” says Jessy. “She never let us see what a struggle it was for her.” But, Jessy knew that when her mom’s parents came to the U.S. from India, “They had a hard time even putting food on the table,” she says. “And, she just wanted her kids to have a better life than she had.”\r\n\r\nThat ‘better life’ is starting to unfold for Jessy, who went to work in January for O’Connor Hospital in San Jose as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. It was her first job application, first interview and first hire in her chosen field. “<a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a> really prepares you to interview,” says Jessy. “Those interview skills were why I was chosen for this position, and it’s like the 18-months of (RT) training really paid off.”\r\n\r\nNow happily settled into her new position at O’Connor, Jessy isn’t letting up on herself. She is working 12-hour shifts every Thrs., Fri., and Sat. night at the hospital, while going to San Jose State Monday through Thursday to complete her B.S. She is feeling the burn of long hours, but she is not backing off.\r\n\r\nJessy’s plans include future certification as a Neonatal Pediatric Specialist and an eventual Master’s Degree in Public Health. Her motivation to excel comes to her in the quiet moments. “My Dad is always watching over me and I want him to see that I’m growing up to be the successful woman he wanted me to be,” says Jessy. She knows the road will be difficult, but she remembers her Aunt Jas saying, “Even when you are young and you see your friends going out, you have to make sacrifices.”\r\n\r\nJessy hears the truth in those words and adds a few of her own: “I have the rest of my life to have fun. I have to get my future together now!” Meanwhile, Jessy is setting an important example for her siblings, including her 5-year old brother, Ryan, who says, “I want to graduation college just like Jessy.” Jessy feels the reward of creating that kind of inspiration. “My brothers are a big motivation for me and I want them to know they can succeed in whatever they put their minds to,” she says.\r\n\r\nJessy does manage to balance her intensity with occasional rewards. “I do find time for a workout,<b> </b>pamper myself, shop and go out with my friends,” says Jessy. “All the things normal 22-year old girls do – just not as often!”', 'Young, Ambitious... and Stressed', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'young-ambitious-and-stressed', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:39:35', '2014-10-17 19:39:35', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1157', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12374, 17, '2013-04-01 09:06:10', '2013-04-01 16:06:10', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Rebecca-Price.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1166" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Rebecca-Price-290x290.jpg" alt="Rebecca Price" width="290" height="290" /></a>Rebecca Price did not make it to college after she graduated from high school in 1990. The birth of her son, Brody, changed the course of her life and college was pushed to the back as she focused on her role as a single mom. “Having a baby was not the right time for me to think about college,” says Rebecca.\r\n\r\nHowever, her “baby” was getting married soon and Rebecca was about to be 40, “so now was the time for me to do it,” she says of her computer search for online education opportunities. Rebecca found <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/">SJVC’s online</a> Clinical and Administrative <a title="Medical Assistant" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/">Medical Assisting</a> program and enrolled in April of 2012. Online classes allow her to continue working full-time as a Home Health Care Aid, while she cares for her 9-year old daughter, Alivia, and her disabled father, Joe, who has many serious health care issues.\r\n\r\nRebecca was a little nervous about going back to school after such a long absence. Her greatest struggle was with her algebra class, which she took twice. “The second time around it just clicked,” she says. Her Student Advisor, Josh Mishou, was there to support her through her bleakest moments. “I felt like I had a cheerleader at my side the whole way,” says Rebecca, who ended up with a solid B. “I get a lot of positive reinforcement from all my teachers – and seeing those A’s is just phenomenal,” she says.\r\n\r\nShe also has a lot of support at home. “Alivia is very mature for her age and takes on a lot of responsibility,” says Rebecca. “If I ask her to do something, she’s on it.” Joe also gives a lot of encouragement to Rebecca and is quick to tell relatives how she is doing. Rebecca’s 3.8 GPA gives him a little something to talk about, and Rebecca feels his pride.\r\n\r\nEven with all of Rebecca’s responsibilities at home, work and school, she was determined to finish what she started.  “My sense of accomplishment is a reward in itself,” she says. “If I can’t do well at something, I’d rather just not do it.” All that effort and reward are not lost on Alivia, who just started public school this year after years of home-schooling. “Just like me, she was nervous at first,” says Rebecca. “But she’s doing really well and loving it.” It is important to Rebecca to give her daughter a positive role model and show her the importance of finishing what you start.\r\n\r\nRebecca plans to use her CAMA education and training to work in a holistic medical environment. Her interest is spurred by Brody’s autism, which has benefitted significantly from holistic therapies. Rebecca may continue her education to become a Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant. She knows that anything is possible – no matter how late your start in higher education.', 'It''s Never too Late', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'its-never-too-late', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/', '2014-10-17 12:39:10', '2014-10-17 19:39:10', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1165', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12375, 17, '2013-04-02 10:37:13', '2013-04-02 17:37:13', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/GABI.png"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1171" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/GABI-268x290.png" alt="GABI" width="268" height="290" /></a>"As a Christian, my inspiration to take care of others comes from God," says Adina Gabriela Martis, who is about to graduate from the <a title="Respiratory Therapy" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/">Respiratory Therapy </a>program in <a title="SJVC Rancho Cordova" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova/">Rancho Cordova</a>. And, with her family''s loving encouragement and her own personal commitment to "help others feel better", she is well on her way to a life of service in the medical field.\r\n\r\nWhen Gabi (as most people call her) first started the RT program she was surprised at the many aspects of Respiratory Therapy and at how many people were affected. This meant she would have patients of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences to work with. "I didn''t realize how many lives I could help," says Gabi. Once she got into specialty treatment therapies, she found a particular area of interest. "I love the cardio-pulmonary area; heart and lungs are such a vital part of our lives," she says.\r\n\r\nThroughout her training in this intensive 18-month program, her husband, Emanuel''s voice, along with those of her parents, Ben and Rodica, echoed encouragement. "My husband kept telling me, ''Never give up; you''re smart, you can do it,''" says Gabi. "And, my parents kept saying, ''Get a good education and follow your dream.''" She listened very intently.\r\n\r\nOne of the best moments in Gabi''s training came when she was in clinical rotation in an intensive care unit. She was trying to comfort a man who was clearly in distress, but unable to communicate his discomfort because he was intubated (tube inserted down his throat). She remembered her non-verbal communication training of asking yes and no questions to which the patient was asked to blink once for ''yes'' and twice for ''no''. When she realized that he was trying to tell her he was thirsty, she repeatedly dampened his palate with a cool, moist sponge until his parched throat was relieved.\r\n\r\nGabi spends a lot of her scant free time volunteering at hospitals and elder care facilities. She currently volunteers in the Cardiac Telemetry Unit at Mercy San Juan Hospital and the Norris Villa retirement facility, where she brings comfort to grateful residents by doing their nails or just talking with them about whatever interests them.\r\n\r\nGabi knows that she is in the right profession, but wants to immerse herself even deeper. "Respiratory Therapy will make me happy, but I also want to go back to school and get my Bachelor''s," she says. "There is a large Spanish population here, so I''d also like to become proficient in Spanish," says Gabi, who has already had 4-years of Spanish language classes.\r\n\r\nWith graduation coming in just a couple of months Gabi has a word of advice for those struggling to complete their program at <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>: "Just keep at it. Hard work and dedication always pays off. And, just remember that tough situations always make us come out stronger."', 'Strong Faith Moves Student to Help Others in Medical Field', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'strong-faith-moves-student-to-help-others-in-medical-field', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova/', '2014-10-17 12:38:54', '2014-10-17 19:38:54', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1169', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12376, 17, '2013-04-09 08:58:52', '2013-04-09 15:58:52', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Cucamonga-Press-Release.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1178" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Cucamonga-Press-Release-290x290.jpg" alt="Cucamonga Press Release" width="290" height="290" /></a>Last month <a title="SJVC Rancho Cucamonga" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cucamonga/">Rancho Cucamonga</a>’s <a title="Respiratory Therapy" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/">Respiratory Therapy</a> (RT) Program Director, Ricardo Guzman and RT instructor, Russell McCord joined over 100 Respiratory Therapists across the nation to meet with members of Congress in Washington, DC to promote the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Access Act. Passage of the Act into law would amend Medicare Part B to provide funds for Respiratory Therapists to work alongside physicians to provide education to patients about how to better manage their pulmonary disease.\r\n\r\nThe Respiratory Therapy profession feels that a patient’s better understanding of their disease and treatment would result in tremendous cost savings through fewer hospital admissions and emergency room visits. Education would also impact patient quality of life, as their respiratory disease becomes better managed. “Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) would teach those with pulmonary disease how to use their medications, such as inhalers, how to exercise underdeveloped muscles that have been deprived of oxygen and how to restore muscle reserve, as well as the importance of proper nutrition to promote strength, energy and wellness,” says Ricardo Guzman.\r\n\r\nDuring “Hill Day” proponents of the Act met with legislators and representatives from every state, including 17 from California. The purpose of the meetings was to solicit support for the Act to move successfully into Bill form, which would then be sent to the Congressional Budget Office for scoring, or cost determination. The Bill would then be sent to Congress for a deciding vote of support or rejection before Senate consideration. This process could take several months.\r\n\r\nThe RT coalition brought with them 861 action letters generated by California constituents to supplement the over 20,000 letters already sent to DC in support of the Medicare Respiratory Therapy Access Act. “Every one of SJVC’s 108 RT students sent a letter to our local legislators,” says Guzman. “Their efforts contributed to a very successful effort in Washington, as many of those we met with had already received our letters,” says Guzman.\r\n\r\n“At 8:00 AM all we had was the Act, and by 5:00 PM we had a congressional sponsor and co-sponsor with companion bills in both the Senate and the House.”', 'Respiratory Therapists go to DC to get Congressional Support', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'respiratory-therapists-go-to-dc-to-get-congressional-support', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:37:54', '2014-10-17 19:37:54', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1177', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12377, 17, '2013-04-10 09:39:11', '2013-04-10 16:39:11', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Monica1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1187" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Monica1-290x290.jpg" alt="Monica" width="290" height="290" /></a>With a population of around 12,000, Blackfoot, Idaho doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of employment opportunities.\r\n\r\n“The best job I could hope for was WalMart or the bank; we have a lot of banks but they don’t pay much,” says <a title="Medical Assistant" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant">SJVC medical assisting</a> student Monica Verlanic. “We have a couple of grocery stores and a police station, but you’re lucky if the police station is hiring.”\r\n\r\nThe greatest employment opportunities lie with the Bingham Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Idaho Doctor’s Hospital, which employs approximately 500 people.\r\n\r\nMonica was able to get her foot in the door at Bingham as a Certified Nursing Assistant (back office) with the stipulation that she complete her <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/">online</a> Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting program and pass the state test for certification.  “Everyone at the hospital has been very encouraging and supportive for me to go to school,” says Monica, who is also completing her CAMA program Externship there.\r\n\r\nBut, no one has been more supportive than her own family. Monica’s husband, Paul, and their four children, ranging in age from 2-11, have pitched in to make it work. “Paul does all the cooking, kids do the chores, and my oldest son helps take care of the baby,” she says.\r\n\r\nThe most difficult time was when Paul had to work in North Dakota for 4-months and was on a 2-weeks gone/1-week home cycle. “That was a long stretch,” says Monica, who had to juggle full-time work, online classes, the kids’ sports schedules, homework and running the house without his help.\r\n\r\nEven with this hectic schedule Monica managed to make the Dean’s List 11-times. The first time she received the Dean’s List certification in the mail, Paul posted it on Facebook for all their friends and family to see. “It was nice to see how proud of me he was,” says Monica.\r\n\r\nAsked about the greatest obstacle she encountered along the way, Monica says, “It was all hard.” She understands why students who are struggling might want to quit or at least take a break; but she cautions against it. “Don’t stop, no matter how hard it gets,” she says. “Once you stop, it’s hard to go back. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”\r\n\r\nHer own struggle to graduate is almost at its end – and Monica isn’t sure how she feels about it or what she will do with the extra time. “I think it’s going to be very strange because I’m used to doing so much,” she says. But, about one thing, she has no doubt: “It was worth it.”', 'Small Town Limits Career Choices', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'small-town-limits-career-choices', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant', '2014-10-17 12:37:26', '2014-10-17 19:37:26', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1182', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12378, 17, '2013-04-11 09:28:49', '2013-04-11 16:28:49', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Rancho-Cucamonga.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1190" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Rancho-Cucamonga-290x290.jpg" alt="Rancho Cucamonga" width="290" height="290" /></a>The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) has released this year’s report, ranking for all RT programs in the U.S. The most important outcome is the 3-year average Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential success, as it represents the Standard of Excellence in this profession. Below are the 2012/2013 rankings, respectively:\r\n\r\n<b>California state </b>(36 programs): <b># 6 / # 3\r\n</b><b>So. California</b>(21 programs): <b># 3 /# 1</b><b>\r\n</b><b>Inland Empire </b>(10 programs):<b> # 1 /# 1</b>\r\n\r\n“Our goal is to be #1 in the State,” says Ricardo Guzman, RT Program Director at the <a title="SJVC Rancho Cucamonga" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cucamonga/">Rancho Cucamonga </a>campus. Mr. Guzman goes on to explain that the two programs currently ahead of SJVC in the SoCal area are traditional 3-year programs and graduated 23 and 11-students, respectively, in the last reporting year.\r\n\r\n“In the same time period we graduated 81 (RT students), so as far as we are concerned, we’re already #1,” he says.<b> </b>(For all of the results go to: <a href="http://www.coarc.com/47.html">http://www.coarc.com/47.html</a>)\r\n\r\nRecent RT graduate, Dinnell Medina, RRT-NPS, RCP, says, “It''s no wonder why SJVC Rancho Cucamonga <a title="Respiratory Therapy" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/">Respiratory Therapy Program</a> is ranked #1 in Southern California and #3 in the state. SJVC Rancho Cucamonga provides students with all the tools to build a new future and begin a fulfilling career. I never imagined that going to school for Respiratory Therapy would be such a rewarding experience.\r\n\r\n"This program has given me opportunities beyond any of my expectations. Every instructor is a source of knowledge eager to share his/her experience as a respiratory therapist. The classroom instructors are dedicated, experienced, individuals who are committed to their students. The clinical instructors relate the classroom learning materials/theories to how things are implemented in the hospital atmosphere. The instructors drive their students to be the best respiratory therapy students and future practitioners out there. They gave me the foundation to be a confident respiratory practitioner.\r\n\r\n"I would suggest to anyone who is considering Respiratory Therapy as a field of practice to attend SJVC Rancho Cucamonga. I am extremely proud to be part of this community and couldn''t thank the Respiratory Therapy Instructors enough for this rewarding experience."\r\n\r\n“I cannot emphasize enough how none of this would be possible without the dedication, talent and hard work of our instructors, both in the classroom and in clinic,” says Guzman.\r\n\r\n“Thank you, especially, Tom, Lea, Russ, Hank, Grey, Jo-Russell, Joe, Cris, Tin, Christy, Maryanne, Tony and Gerardo for making our success possible. Thank you, also, to Sherril, Richard, the management team and Senior Management for your constant support for all we do,” he adds.', 'Respiratory Therapy program in Rancho Cucamonga #1 in SoCal', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'respiratory-therapy-program-in-rancho-cucamonga-1-in-socal', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/', '2014-10-17 12:33:57', '2014-10-17 19:33:57', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1189', 0, 'post', '', 0);
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(12379, 17, '2013-04-12 10:35:32', '2013-04-12 17:35:32', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Lancaster-Easter-ZEgg-Hunt.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1200" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Lancaster-Easter-ZEgg-Hunt-290x290.jpg" alt="Lancaster Easter ZEgg Hunt" width="290" height="290" /></a>Friday, March 29<sup>th</sup>, <a title="SJVC Antelope Valley" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/">Lancaster</a> campus held their first annual Easter Egg Hunt. Students and their families were invited to celebrate this holiday with <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>, joining in games and crafts. Families enjoyed good company and conversation over homemade breakfast served by the staff. Ms. Elizabeth O’Connell, Lancaster Student Center Coordinator, had an assortment of crafts for the little ones. Activities ranging from beading bracelets and making egg carton duckies to face painting.\r\n\r\nThe Easter Bunny even made a special appearance, taking pictures with children. Although there was a hint of fear in some of the youngest of the bunch, the kids were happy to pose with the bunny for cute pictures for their parents; even if it did take a little coaxing for some.\r\n\r\nThe main event, the egg hunt, was a time for children to be set free to explore and get as many eggs in their basket as they could. There was even a promise of prize for children who got one of the three special starred eggs. With children searching for the eggs, students enjoyed seeing the kids happy and ready for the task. The parking lot arena for the egg toss proved to be a chance for students and family to show off their throwing and partnership skills. Not only wanting to win just for the bragging rights, but also wanting a chance to win the $15 dollar gift cards, valuable for school supplies.\r\n\r\nWith their duckies and Easter prizes in tow, students and family concluded with a group photo to remember the day. After all the pictures, the group was set off to be with family for this special holiday weekend.', 'Lancaster Easter Egg Hunt', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'lancaster-easter-egg-hunt', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/', '2014-10-17 12:33:40', '2014-10-17 19:33:40', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1199', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12380, 17, '2013-04-12 18:35:29', '2013-04-13 01:35:29', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SJVC-Facebook-Tshirts.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1204" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SJVC-Facebook-Tshirts-290x290.jpg" alt="SJVC Facebook Tshirts" width="290" height="290" /></a><a title="SJVC" href="http://sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>’s new motivational t-shirts have proven popular among students and sales are going great. The t-shirts, with messages of commitment, inspiration, humor and insight are showing up on dress-down days, and $1.00 per shirt proceeds are helping a different campus with a project or cause each month.\r\n\r\nContributions from sales this month will help the <a title="SJVC Visalia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/">Visalia</a> campus get to their $6,000 goal they want to contribute to the Central Valley March of Dimes. Dental Assisting instructor and campus March of Dimes Committee Chair, Lori Jeffcoach, is excited to have another fundraising effort underway. “We do bake sales, dress-down days, walk-a-thons and other food sales all year long to try to meet our goal,” says Jeffcoach.\r\n\r\nThe Visalia campus has been a long-term supporter of the Central Valley March of Dimes. “I think they do a great job saving lives out there and preventing premature births,” says Lori.\r\n\r\nVisalia students have been great about supporting efforts to help the March of Dimes. “Our food sales are really successful,” says Lori. “Our campus is a little isolated, so we don’t have a lot of lunch or food sources close by,” she says. “And, it’s very touching to see the amount of good we have in our students, who often tell us to keep the change or make a $5.00 donation when they buy our food,” says Lori.\r\n\r\nThis year’s fundraising is off to a good start with $3,400 already collected since January. “We would love to surpass our goal of $6,000 this year,” says Lori. “We’re off to a good start.”\r\n\r\nThe next big event to raise funds for the Central Valley March of Dimes is a Visalia campus walk-a-thon scheduled for April 27<sup>th</sup>. “We already have 58-students signed up to walk, and 3-students have already given us over $300 in pledges,” says Jeffcoach.\r\n\r\nEveryone can help the Visalia campus to reach their fundraising goal by buying a t-shirt before the end of April. Browse the selections at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SJVCs/app_515661228485859">the SJVC Store</a>.  T-shirts can be purchased for $6.00, using Paypal or a credit card on SJVC’s Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sjvcs">www.facebook.com/sjvcs</a>.  There is no charge for shipping if you pick up your purchase at your campus Student Center; otherwise it is $4.00 to send it elsewhere. SJVC is selling the T-shirts to you at cost – plus a dollar donation to a fellow campus.\r\n\r\nLast month the Online campus received $158 from t-shirt sales, which they contributed to their campus Student Support Fund. Next month (May), Hesperia will be the campus to benefit from t-shirt sales.', 'Visalia Campus Benefits From April T-shirt Sales', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'visalia-campus-benefits-from-april-t-shirt-sales', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:33:27', '2014-10-17 19:33:27', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1203', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12381, 17, '2013-04-16 11:09:13', '2013-04-16 18:09:13', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Enrique-Loza.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1215" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Enrique-Loza.jpg" alt="Enrique Loza" width="256" height="256" /></a>Enrique Loza has crammed a lot of life into his 22-years. He worked part-time for a convenience store throughout high school, while he juggled studies and thought about college. “Everyone in my family – brother, sisters and my mom – has gone to college,” says Enrique.\r\n\r\nBut plans took a detour when just out of high school Enrique and his now wife, Saliena, found out their son, Aadyn was on the way. Enrique went to work for a local Hanford dairy, doing ‘outside labor’ for 60-hours a week. He buckled down.\r\n\r\nThe hard-earned income allowed his family to buy a house. “When my real estate agent heard I was only 20-years old, he said, ‘Whoa, you’re young,’” he laughed. “But I knew that houses were really at a low price, and with my work experience I qualified for credit. Now my house is worth $30,000 more than when I bought it,” says Enrique. The house was a good move – especially since their daughter, Aalyna, joined the family a few months ago.\r\n\r\nBut, college was never too far from his mind, and Enrique and Saliena had a deal. When she finished her Medical Assisting training, it would be his turn to go back to school. That was finally possible in October, 2012, when Enrique enrolled in the <a title="SJVC Visalia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/">Visalia</a> campus’s <a title="Industrial Technology" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/industrial-technology/">Industrial Technology</a> program. Enrique’s older brother, Heriberto, had graduated from the IT program a few months earlier and encouraged him to do the same.\r\n\r\nEnrique knew his brother was right when he got to Mr. Clyde’s class. “He makes sure that we get everything in our heads, that we actually learn something,” says Enrique, who especially likes the hands-on action in class. “He’s not just there for a paycheck,” he says. “He even gives us little McDonald’s gift certificates out of his own pocket, which makes us try even harder.” But, Enrique doesn’t need much motivation to work hard; it has been his natural characteristic all his young life.\r\n\r\nEnrique is still working those 60-hour weeks; his only day off is Saturdays. He very much misses time with his family. “My boy is three; growing up so fast,” he says. “Ever since high school, I’ve been working so much to have more time with my family.” He has felt both desperation and inspiration along the way.\r\n\r\nIt is all about to change. “I have the work experience and now I’ll have the education to back me up and give me that extra punch on my resume,” says Enrique. He is ready for the new life ahead.\r\n\r\nLike the mature-before-his-years guy he is, Enrique sums it up best. “I want to do better in life. I don’t want to just be alive…I want to live.” He has earned it.', 'A Few Years, a Lot of Life', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-few-years-a-lot-of-life', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/industrial-technology/', '2014-10-17 12:32:18', '2014-10-17 19:32:18', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1214', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12382, 17, '2013-04-30 11:21:35', '2013-04-30 18:21:35', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Industrial-Technology.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1234" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Industrial-Technology-290x290.jpg" alt="Industrial Technology" width="290" height="290" /></a>Until now there has not been a major career training resource in the Lancaster-Palmdale region to provide manufacturing and aerospace companies with well-trained technical support.\r\n\r\nBeginning in July, <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">San Joaquin Valley College </a>(SJVC) will offer an accelerated <a title="Industrial Technology" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/industrial-technology/">Industrial Technology</a> (IT) program that will put highly-skilled technicians into pivotal roles in local plant operations. Industrial facilities and commercial plants depend on knowledgeable and sure-handed Industrial Technicians to ensure that operations run smoothly, efficiently and with minimal slow-down or shut-down. Inefficient systems and sub-standard machinery mean financial losses that negatively impact production – and jobs.\r\n\r\nSJVC’s IT program will combine classroom study with hands-on training in the functioning and maintenance of industrial equipment and operating systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), industrial electricity, power transmission and hydraulics. Graduates earn a Certificate or an Associate of Science degree.\r\n\r\n“Good candidates for the IT program should be good with their hands, have a high level of dexterity, some experience with wiring, high-powered machinery and some knowledge of math to pull from,” says Joel Morgan, SJVC’s Lancaster Campus Director.\r\n\r\nThe Industrial Technology program is very successful on other of the college’s 13-campuses throughout Central and Southern California.\r\n\r\nSan Joaquin Valley College worked with the local Chamber of Commerce, industrial employers and other local representatives to make certain that IT program graduates would fill an important need in the community. The new Industrial Technology program seems a perfect fit for the Antelope Valley region.\r\n\r\n“With the expansion of the Palmdale Highway and the high-speed rail breaking ground, these corridors will better connect Victorville to Lancaster/Palmdale and Los Angeles, and all the distribution centers along the way,” says Morgan. “Greater product movement and storage means more maintenance technicians will be needed to keep things running smoothly.”\r\n\r\nSJVC’s IT curriculum was designed to meet current employer needs and ensure graduate employability. Today’s industrial businesses are looking for well-trained technicians who can operate and maintain the specialized equipment that keeps their systems operational.  Graduates can expect to go to work as a Maintenance Mechanic, Industrial Mechanic, Maintenance Manager or Electrician or a move up to Maintenance Engineer.\r\n\r\nSan Joaquin Valley College has offered career training programs throughout California since 1977. Its Lancaster campus opened in October, 2012 and offers a variety of Medical, Business and Technical programs. (Please see sjvc.edu.) For more information about SJVC’s Industrial Technology and other program, or for a tour of the campus, please call (661) 974-8282', 'Local Jr. College Introduces Industrial Technology Career Training Program', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'local-jr-college-introduces-industrial-technology-career-training-program', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/industrial-technology/', '2014-10-17 12:31:56', '2014-10-17 19:31:56', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1233', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12383, 17, '2013-05-01 09:16:42', '2013-05-01 16:16:42', '“I want to buy a house, have a nice car and to be stable when I’m older, not live paycheck-to-paycheck,” says Jorge Jimenez, <a title="Business Administration" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration/">Business Administration</a> student at the <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/">Fresno</a> campus. “I don’t want to worry about am I going to eat tomorrow or be able to pay the rent.”\r\n\r\nAt 21-years old he has figured out a lot. And, he has a plan.\r\n\r\nJorge started working for FedEx 20-22 hours/week just out of high school. He works hard as a package handler and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. “They said they have their eye on me,” says Jorge, “and when I get my degree, I can go anywhere in the company.”\r\n\r\nJorge tried the community college route but, “I couldn’t get all the classes I wanted and it felt like a waste of time,” he says. He decided to double-down with a college experience that would better meet his academic, in-class support and time needs. His BA class’s first-day nerves pushed his commitment deeper. “Ok, I’m here now; there’s no turning back. Even if it’s a struggle, I have to keep going because this will open a door for me in the real world.”\r\n\r\nThere is no doubt there is a struggle. Jorge works at FedEx 4:00-10:00 AM, Tues.-Sat. and attends classes 5:30-10:30 PM, Mon.-Thrs.  That means he sleeps in 4-hour split shifts, just after he gets off work and again when he gets out of class. His Sundays and half-days on Monday are spent catching up on homework to maintain his 3.25 GPA, and squeezing a little personal time into his life. “At first I had a headache every day,” says Jorge, “but my boss, Luis, at FedEx told me I’d get used to it. And, I did.”\r\n\r\nHis parents, Jorge and Rosie are helping him get through this difficult time. It would be much harder if he wasn’t living at home. His younger brother, Alex, “is pretty proud of me,” says Jorge. “Alex wrestles, so he’s already looking for a scholarship to go to college too.”\r\n\r\nJorge’s back-burner dream is to open a pastry shop with his cousin, Jasmine. “She tells me, ‘You run it and I’ll just bake,’” he says. His own business would mean a lot to him. “It’s freedom; you set your own rules,” he says.\r\n\r\nJorge’s advice to SJVC students who are also struggling to make it to the successful end of their program: “Don’t quit now. Where are you going to go? What are you going to do? It will be worth it in the end.”\r\n\r\nJorge’s is the voice of someone who talks it like he lives it.', 'Eye on the Prize', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'eye-on-the-prize', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/', '2014-10-17 12:31:41', '2014-10-17 19:31:41', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1238', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(13159, 4, '2014-10-17 12:31:41', '2014-10-17 19:31:41', '“I want to buy a house, have a nice car and to be stable when I’m older, not live paycheck-to-paycheck,” says Jorge Jimenez, <a title="Business Administration" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration/">Business Administration</a> student at the <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/">Fresno</a> campus. “I don’t want to worry about am I going to eat tomorrow or be able to pay the rent.”\r\n\r\nAt 21-years old he has figured out a lot. And, he has a plan.\r\n\r\nJorge started working for FedEx 20-22 hours/week just out of high school. He works hard as a package handler and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. “They said they have their eye on me,” says Jorge, “and when I get my degree, I can go anywhere in the company.”\r\n\r\nJorge tried the community college route but, “I couldn’t get all the classes I wanted and it felt like a waste of time,” he says. He decided to double-down with a college experience that would better meet his academic, in-class support and time needs. His BA class’s first-day nerves pushed his commitment deeper. “Ok, I’m here now; there’s no turning back. Even if it’s a struggle, I have to keep going because this will open a door for me in the real world.”\r\n\r\nThere is no doubt there is a struggle. Jorge works at FedEx 4:00-10:00 AM, Tues.-Sat. and attends classes 5:30-10:30 PM, Mon.-Thrs.  That means he sleeps in 4-hour split shifts, just after he gets off work and again when he gets out of class. His Sundays and half-days on Monday are spent catching up on homework to maintain his 3.25 GPA, and squeezing a little personal time into his life. “At first I had a headache every day,” says Jorge, “but my boss, Luis, at FedEx told me I’d get used to it. And, I did.”\r\n\r\nHis parents, Jorge and Rosie are helping him get through this difficult time. It would be much harder if he wasn’t living at home. His younger brother, Alex, “is pretty proud of me,” says Jorge. “Alex wrestles, so he’s already looking for a scholarship to go to college too.”\r\n\r\nJorge’s back-burner dream is to open a pastry shop with his cousin, Jasmine. “She tells me, ‘You run it and I’ll just bake,’” he says. His own business would mean a lot to him. “It’s freedom; you set your own rules,” he says.\r\n\r\nJorge’s advice to SJVC students who are also struggling to make it to the successful end of their program: “Don’t quit now. Where are you going to go? What are you going to do? It will be worth it in the end.”\r\n\r\nJorge’s is the voice of someone who talks it like he lives it.', 'Eye on the Prize', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'open', '', '12383-revision-v1', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:31:41', '2014-10-17 19:31:41', '', 12383, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/12383-revision-v1', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(12384, 17, '2013-05-01 15:14:44', '2013-05-01 22:14:44', '<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1204" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SJVC-Facebook-Tshirts-290x290.jpg" alt="SJVC Facebook Tshirts" width="290" height="290" /><a title="SJVC Victor Valley" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/victor-valley/">Hesperia</a> students, this is the month for you to buy some of our new motivational T-shirts, because THIS is the month your campus will get $1.00 for every one sold!\r\n\r\nAnd, the proceeds are going to a very good cause on your campus. Your Student Support Fund provides students with a little help with everything from a few groceries and diapers to bus passes and gas card. Everyone needs a little help now and then, and students on the Hesperia campus know their Student Support Fund is there to do just that.\r\n\r\nEach month a different campus benefits from the sale of our new motivational T-shirts because, with each sale, $1.00 is tagged for however that campus wants to use it. Last month the Visalia campus donated their earnings to the Central Valley March of Dimes.\r\n\r\nThese SJVC tees have proven popular among students and sales are going great. The t-shirts, with messages of commitment, inspiration, humor and insight are showing up on dress-down days and off-campus events.\r\n\r\nJust remember, when you buy and wear one of <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>’s new, motivational T-shirts, you are showing school pride and helping other students through a rough patch, at the same time. Looking good…feeling good.  Helping, celebrating each other in our global SJVC family.\r\n\r\nEveryone can help the Hesperia campus to raise money for their Student Support Fund. Browse the selections at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SJVCs/app_515661228485859">https://www.facebook.com/SJVCs/app_515661228485859</a>.  T-shirts can be purchased for $6.00, using Paypal or a credit card on SJVC’s Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sjvcs">www.facebook.com/sjvcs</a>.  There is no charge for shipping if you pick up your purchase at your campus Student Center; otherwise it is $4.00 to send it elsewhere. SJVC is selling the T-shirts to you at cost – plus a dollar donation to a fellow campus.\r\n\r\nNext month (June), Modesto will be the campus to benefit from t-shirt sales. Bakersfield Campus will benefit in July.', 'May T-shirt Sales to Boost Hesperia Campus'' Student Support Fund', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'may-t-shirt-sales-to-boost-hesperia-campus-student-support-fund', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/victor-valley/', '2014-10-17 12:30:42', '2014-10-17 19:30:42', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1246', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12385, 17, '2013-05-02 11:05:31', '2013-05-02 18:05:31', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Aviation-Volunteers.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1251" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Aviation-Volunteers-290x290.jpg" alt="Aviation Volunteers" width="290" height="290" /></a>A dozen <a title="Aviation Maintenance Technology" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-maintenance-technology/">Aviation</a> students brought a little piece of childhood fantasy back to life when they restored a popular children’s vignette at Rotary Storyland and Playland in Fresno last Saturday. “They did a great job painting and restoring a wishing well, stepping stone and a bridge, planting flowers and clearing weeds from the surrounding area,” says Linda Restovich, General Manger for the famous Fresno park and family entertainment venue.\r\n\r\nAviation Student Council president, David Miranda put the project together and many fellow students gave up a few hours that Saturday for this community volunteer effort. “The park was in need of assistance and we at the Aviation campus were more than happy to lend our muscles and skills to benefit this long-loved park,” says Miranda. “We have a great group of guys within our student body and we are all here to make a difference within our own lives, but also within the lives of our communities,” he says.\r\n\r\n“I have nothing but great things to say about our ASB and its leadership,” says Jack Macfarlane, Aviation Campus Director. “The Student Council officers, with David Miranda at the helm, are a continual source of inspiration to us all and are compassionate ambassadors of the Aviation Maintenance campus and SJVC.”\r\n\r\nThe students were originally assigned the task of dismantling the big Tilt-a-Whirl ride, but found out that had to be postponed for a couple of weeks. Instead they threw themselves into creating a colorful and pristine area for kids and families to throw pennies into the wishing well and bounce along the freshly cleared and painted walkways.\r\n\r\nThe whole <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a> team enjoyed spending the day together, working and having some fun along the way. “They’re really excited to go back and take apart that Tilt-a-Whirl, though,” says David. And, Linda Restovich can’t wait to have them back to do that very thing.\r\n\r\nIt was one of those community projects that hits close to home. “A lot of us have kids, so we all like for them to have a clean and fun place to go,” says David.', 'Aviation Campus Students Give Storyland a Makeover', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'aviation-campus-students-give-storyland-a-makeover', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-maintenance-technology/', '2014-10-17 12:29:25', '2014-10-17 19:29:25', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1250', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12386, 17, '2013-05-03 10:01:25', '2013-05-03 17:01:25', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Temecula-Heart-Walk.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1265" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Temecula-Heart-Walk-290x290.jpg" alt="Temecula Heart Walk" width="290" height="290" /></a>This year’s <a title="SJVC Temecula" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula">Temecula</a> Valley Heart Walk drew a large crowd of 1,200 participants and lots of support from SJVC students, staff and faculty. The 5k walk is an annual event held this year at Lake Skinner to bring awareness about heart disease to the public and raise funds for research and medical services.\r\n\r\n<a title="Medical Assistant" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant">CAMA</a> and <a title="Respiratory Therapy" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy">Respiratory Therapy</a> students, <b><i>Rosa Virella, Kevin Suyoto, Sarah Bowers, Sabrina Hernandez-Robles, Bonnie Rodriguez, Lisa Maria, Sonmany Sulit </i></b>and <b><i>Ana Rosa Tejeda</i></b>, along with CAMA instructor <b><i>Miss Sutter </i></b>and Coordinator of Student Activities, <b><i>John Hall </i></b>volunteered from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM at SJVC’s booth, providing health screenings to registered walkers and the those there to cheer them on. “The students did excellent and put their best foot forward in helping participants get their screenings,” says John Hall. “Some participants had their blood pressure taken both before and after walking to measure the difference,” says Hall.\r\n\r\nThe event was a huge success, raising $77,834. This is the 2<sup>nd</sup> year SJVC students have participated in the Temecula Valley Heart Walk. “This was a great opportunity for our students to practice their skills and network with other professionals in their industry,” says Hall.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;', 'Students Volunteer Services at Heart Walk', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'students-volunteer-services-at-heart-walk', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/temecula', '2014-10-17 12:29:04', '2014-10-17 19:29:04', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1264', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12387, 17, '2013-05-07 13:19:51', '2013-05-07 20:19:51', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Bill-Lennon.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1271" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Bill-Lennon-290x290.jpg" alt="Bill Lennon" width="290" height="290" /></a>When Bill Lennon dropped out of high school his junior year to take over his Dad’s dry wall business after his Dad fell and broke his neck, Bill made two important promises to himself: He would one day go back and finish high school and eventually go on to get a college degree. On his 30<sup>th</sup> birthday he celebrated the acquisition of his high school diploma and last month, at 56 years old, he earned an A.S. degree in <a title="Construction Management" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/construction-management">Construction Management</a>, ready to frame.\r\n\r\n“My family said, ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this at your age,’” he laughs. But they know him well enough to know that Bill will do what he says he will do. “Pick you end result and stay with it,” says Bill. His wife, Jackie, his 6 grown kids and 14 grandchildren had no real doubts about his commitment, abilities or eventual success.\r\n\r\nBill has had a solid construction business for 17-years, but knew he needed to get up-to-date on new industry software, materials and techniques. “You have to know these things and can’t always rely on other people to do it for you,” he says. “I have to be self-reliant in almost everything I do.” Plus, he was tired of ‘chasing the dollars’ and wanted to feel a little more secure in his profession and ‘kind of just 9 to 5 it’ for awhile.\r\n\r\nIt took Bill a little while to get into step with his <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://sjvc.edu/online">Online</a> coursework. He tried studying at night after work, but he had little energy left over after a hard day’s effort. He started getting up at 4:30 in the morning and studying until his work day started at 7:30. He got into the habit of taking his laptop with him wherever he went and grabbing some study time whenever there was a break. “Every 15 minutes I found during the day was 15 less minutes I had to do later,” says Bill.  On the Dean’s List eleven times and with a 3.74 GPA, his system must have worked very well. He got into a rhythm and stayed with it.\r\n\r\nThere was a side benefit to Bill’s commitment to his studies. He had to give up some of the control of his business to a couple of employees who rose to the occasion and proved worthy of the additional responsibilities. “Danny just latched onto whatever I gave him, showed some tenacity and took up some of the slack so I could study,” says Bill. That included his 2<sup>nd</sup> oldest son, Billy, “who impressed me with newly discovered capabilities and earned some independence,” he says.\r\n\r\nBill got lots of support from his Online instructors, too. “These guys had more than just ‘the stuff’ and had the ability to relate without talking down to you,” he says. Bill knew that when he completed the Construction Management program he would walk away with something of value to himself and his customers.\r\n\r\n“A lot of guys have a sign on their truck, but that doesn’t mean they can do what it says they can do.” Bill has made certain that any sign he displays, any work he has committed to, and any word he has given means something.', 'A Life-long Learner Keeps His Promise', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-life-long-learner-keeps-his-promise', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/construction-management', '2014-10-17 12:28:45', '2014-10-17 19:28:45', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1270', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12388, 17, '2013-05-08 13:53:33', '2013-05-08 20:53:33', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC02449.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1274" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC02449-290x290.jpg" alt="DSC02449" width="290" height="290" /></a>Everywhere you look you see blue. The <a title="SJVC Victor Valley" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/victor-valley">Hesperia</a> campus lobby and other common areas were illuminated with blue, many students were dressed in blue and message boards contained blue bulletins about “Light it Up Blue”, “Shining a light on Autism” to raise awareness for this world-wide event. The Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera house in Australia and the Leaning Tower of Pisa join hundreds of famous buildings and landmarks across many countries to share bright blue support for the national organization, Autism Speaks.\r\n\r\n<a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a> Diversity Committee members, Lauren Brown (Financial Aid Officer) and Misty Christensen (Dean of Students) felt it important to help educate students about this neurological disorder that affects so many children and impacts families everywhere. “We wanted to educate our students about autism because it is a disorder that makes those with it feel different from others and, especially since so many of our students are in medical programs, they should know more about this,” says Lauren Brown.\r\n\r\nLauren’s 13-year old son, Brendon, has autism on the moderate-severe spectrum and has sensory processing disorder that causes him to shy away from social interaction with others. “I felt it was important for students and staff to understand that autism is not a noticeable disability and often takes a psychologist, specialist and pediatrician, along with a battery of assessments, to diagnose autism,” says Lauren, whose son was not diagnosed until he was 6-years old.\r\n\r\n“Everyone knows someone who is either directly or indirectly affected by this,” says Lauren.  “When we were getting ready to do this event we found staff and students who had a child affected by autism,” she says. Most had few resources for their child and struggled to find support for families and appropriate therapy and education options.\r\n\r\nAutism spectrum disorder includes Asperger’s syndrome and presents a broad scale of behavior and sensitivity severity. Misty Christensen’s 5-year old son, McAllister, has Asperger’s syndrome, “called the Little Professor’s disease,” she offers. “McAllister is high-functioning and very intelligent,” says Misty, “but has some social deficiencies.” McAllister exhibits a sensory processing disorder that makes the touch of some clothing, such as jeans, on his skin unbearable. “It’s hard for them (with Asperger’s) to know where their bodies are in space,” says Misty, whose son sometimes feels like things are crawling all over his body. It helps for McAllister to wear weighted vests to better orient his physical body.\r\n\r\nChildren with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome may:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Be overly sensitive in sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste (for example, they may refuse to wear "itchy" clothes and become distressed if they are forced to wear the clothes)</li>\r\n	<li>Have unusual distress when routines are changed</li>\r\n	<li>Perform repeated body movements</li>\r\n	<li>Show unusual attachments to objects</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nCommunication and social interaction problems may vary from moderate to severe.\r\n\r\nThe Hesperia campus provided students with a PowerPoint presentation to educate them about autism and the importance of awareness. Throughout April the campus held fundraisers, dress-down days, and raffles and sold blue cotton candy to raise money for Autism Speaks.\r\n\r\nOne percent of the U.S. population, age 3-17, has an autism spectrum disorder. Other important statistics:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Autism affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys (Boys are 5 times more likely than girls to have autism)</li>\r\n	<li>Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S.</li>\r\n	<li>Autism cost a family an average of $60,000 a year to manage treatment</li>\r\n	<li>Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding given less prevalent childhood diseases</li>\r\n	<li>There is no medical detection or cure for autism</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nMisty Christensen’s son’s occupational therapist said, “Autism is a spectrum, and everybody is on it somewhere.”\r\n\r\n“This event left a huge impression on our staff, faculty and students,” says Lauren Brown. And, those who came forward with their personal stories of struggle with this disorder within their own families were glad to see their campus become a part of autism awareness.\r\n\r\nThere is so little support and few resources within local communities for families of children with autism or Asperger’s.  Misty, who says at 18-months old, McAllister lay down for a nap and woke up with severe behavior changes “as though a light switch was flipped,” has struggled to find help. “It was really, really hard,” she says. “We are so underserviced in our area.”\r\n\r\nThe Hesperia campus can be part of bringing autism awareness, not only to students, staff and faculty, but to their community.  “Our people here who have children with autism and Asperger’s can be the change that brings the resources to their children and this area,” says Lauren Smith.\r\n\r\nFor more information about autism spectrum disorder visit autismspeaks.org.', 'Hesperia Lets it Shine for Autism', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'hesperia-lets-it-shine-for-autism', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:28:29', '2014-10-17 19:28:29', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1273', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12389, 17, '2013-05-09 16:02:00', '2013-05-09 23:02:00', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Arvin-High-School.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1278" alt="Arvin High School" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Arvin-High-School-290x290.jpg" width="290" height="290" /></a>Arvin High School students spent months studying the Constitution to beat out other California high schools for a chance to go up against other state winners in the “We the People” competition in Washington DC April 26-29. After several hard-won state matches where their knowledge of the constitution was mined, they qualified as one of two CA teams to earn a spot. The Arvin team had placed second but won the single ‘wild card’ selection made each year.\r\n\r\nThe problem: $90,000 for travel expenses for the team of 26 seniors. Fundraising was going to be difficult for a town of barely 20,000 residents – 92% of whom are considered socioeconomically disadvantaged. But a proud Arvin High School student population of 2,500 was on a mission to raise the necessary funds to get to DC.\r\n\r\nShort of their goal and with just a couple of weeks left to raise the money, Melissa Cahill, <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu">SJVC</a>’s previous Division Manager and now part-time instructor whipped into action. Melissa had completed her student teaching at Arvin High School, which is about 15-miles southeast of Bakersfield. Campus fundraising hit high gear. “These kids gave up the last six months of Spring Break, enjoying friends, the movies, video games and everything else to prepare for this,” says Cahill. “I am proud we were there to help.”\r\n\r\nCampus dress-down days and cupcake sales brought in about $300. The Campus Connect Crew and High School Advisor, Marcus Barnette, were instrumental in organizing the bake sale and keeping momentum going to raise as much money as possible. As the deadline drew near Ms. Cahill threw out a plea to Facebook friends, where SJVC students answered the call with another $100. “Our SJVC students and I were the very first ones to give,” says Cahill. “We are teaching our students to make a difference.” Melissa made out a personal check to bring the total to $500 – and Arvin seniors made their goal! A check for $500 was presented to Arvin principal Carlos Sardo.\r\n\r\nBefore the competition took place students from every state got a never-to-be-forgotten tour of Capitol Hill, The White House, Arlington National Cemetery and Mt. Vernon. They got to meet elected officials and other dignitaries and learn about government beyond classroom walls. Most of these students had never been out of Arvin and went home with a much wider view of – not only government – but our place in the world.\r\n\r\nArvin High School students went into competition at George Mason University with a determination to show the country what they could achieve. “When we first came in we had trouble speaking and a lot of other teams just expected, ‘Oh, it’s Arvin; it just full of poor disadvantaged students; they can’t do anything,’” says Arvin student Malcolm Rivera. They held their own and although they didn’t place at the top they came home with the title, “Best Team in the Western United States”. Their coach, Robert Ruckman, was very proud of their performance and accomplishments. “To see all their hard work pay off and get this reward is extremely gratifying,” he says.\r\n\r\nAnother door opened to these young Arvin seniors – and all the Arvin students to follow them. Principal Sardo wants to work with SJVC to introduce more Arvin High School students to the college and the opportunities that are available to them. “Mr. Sardo wants to bus his students in to observe our hands-on learning and, also, asked that we come to his campus, meet with his counselors and show his students that they have options,” says Ms. Cahill.\r\n\r\n“SJVC wants all students to know that they can achieve their goal and graduate college,” says Melissa Cahill.\r\n\r\nArvin is a small town with a big heart and high school students with a big dream to match.', 'Bakersfield Campus Helps Arvin High School Make it to DC for Competition', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'bakersfield-campus-helps-arvin-high-school-make-it-to-dc-for-competition', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:28:17', '2014-10-17 19:28:17', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1277', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12390, 17, '2013-05-14 09:25:15', '2013-05-14 16:25:15', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Shena_Reid-fixed.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1291" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Shena_Reid-fixed-227x290.jpg" alt="Shena_Reid fixed" width="227" height="290" /></a>Shena Reid wasn’t sure she would do very well in college-level classes, when she considered enrolling in the Online <a title="Medical Assistant" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant">Clinical Medical Assisting</a> certificate program. It had been a dozen years since she graduated from high school and thought it would only get harder, as so much time had passed since she was a student. “I took a chance with this Online class,” says Shena.\r\n\r\nWhat she found out is that, as a private Jr. college, SJVC is deeply invested in providing all the support a student needs to be successful. “My biggest surprise was how teachers were always helping students,” says Shena. “They called and e-mailed all the time, making sure you were on track. They even gave you their phone number to call any time or schedule tutoring time. That was huge to me,” she says.\r\n\r\n<a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online">SJVC’s Online</a> support system worked for Shena, who maintained a 4.0 GPA. “I actually didn’t make these kinds of grades in high school, so this was a big deal for me,” she says. The high point for her was seeing her test scores come back. “I put in the work for them and had the information to make those grades,” she says. “But, I give God all the thanks.”\r\n\r\nShena also had a lot of support at home. Her husband, Ali, encouraged her all the way. More than that, he knew her study schedule and made sure he had their three children, ages 3, 4 and 11, well taken care of. “He was very, very supportive; he made sure I didn’t slack on my school work, and took care of the kids every day for me to study,” says Shena.\r\n\r\nShena has always been drawn to the medical field and wants to work in either a Cardiology or OBGYN environment. Several people in her family have had serious medical problems that helped her to decide on a career in that field. “Something was pulling me in this direction and it’s like I was destined to do this,” she says. Shena spent a lot of time watching those professionals who worked in hospitals and took care of sick people and thought, “Why not do it myself.”\r\n\r\nShe is well on her way. “I will take my time, but I will eventually get in to the RN field,” says Shena, who wants to work for awhile in a career into which she just recently earned entry.\r\n\r\nSomeone else may share her career inspiration. Shena’s 11-year old son, Cam’ron, has been watching his mom pretty closely and looking through her medical books with interest.  It would make her success all the sweeter to see her son share her chosen path.', 'You''re Not in High School Anymore', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'youre-not-in-high-school-anymore', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant', '2014-10-17 12:28:01', '2014-10-17 19:28:01', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1281', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12391, 17, '2013-05-22 11:02:50', '2013-05-22 18:02:50', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Wanda-Robinson.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1300" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Wanda-Robinson.jpg" alt="Wanda Robinson" width="184" height="138" /></a>Ever wanted to so something, but just couldn’t find the motivation?  Couldn’t get yourself out of your comfortable routine?\r\n\r\nWanda Robinson had worked for some time in the physician’s office of a large hospital in GA, but wanted to qualify for a management position and the salary increase that came with promotion. Her friend and co-worker Janice encouraged her to check out <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online">SJVC’s Online </a>programs to help Wanda get the education she needed to succeed. Janice had completed the online CMA program, and knew the education would give Wanda the opportunity to reach her goals.\r\n\r\nJanice’s nudging led Wanda to check out the <a title="Medical Office" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical_office">Medical Office Administration </a>program; she was so impressed by it that she reorganized her schedule around her full-time job in order to be able to take classes!\r\n\r\n“Let me stop procrastinating and just get it done,” she said to herself.\r\n\r\nWanda had already earned her Medical Office Clerk and Billing Specialist certificate at Savannah Technical College and had been trained in completing coding and billing. Despite her experience, she knew the gaps in her training and a lack of a higher degree kept her from advancement.\r\n\r\n“My online classes were much more in depth,” says Wanda. “It was much, much better, and everything fell into place for me as I learned the rules, laws and policies that explained the job I had been doing.”\r\n\r\nJanice’s participation in Wanda’s education did not end with her enrollment.\r\n\r\n“Janice still stayed on me with ‘How are your classes going?’ and ‘How did you do on that test?’”, says Wanda. “And I had to see her every day!” she laughs. Wanda admits it was kind of nice to have your own cheerleader at work.\r\n\r\nJanice was not her sole cheerleader in this journey. Her 18-year old daughter, Paris, and 9-year old son, Nicholas were constant with their encouragement in her studying and did a lot to help out at home.\r\n\r\n“Paris graduates from high school this year and plans to go to Culinary Arts College in Atlanta, so we got to be her guinea pigs at mealtime,” says Wanda. Wanda’s parents were excited for her success, as well, and helped out with the kids whenever they could.\r\n\r\nWith her family’s support, and the achievability of the program, Wanda found she could take on any subject.\r\n\r\n“I’ve never liked math,” she confesses. “But, with the videos that show you exactly how to do the problems, the ‘help me’ tabs, e-mails from teachers and other resources, I was like ‘Wow’, I can do math!”\r\n\r\nMath was not the only subject at which Wanda excelled. She both appeared on the Dean’s List 12 times and graduated with a 3.83 GPA, and she credits her success to her family.\r\n\r\n“I wanted to show them that you should always finish what you start,” she says. “They were all so happy when I got my degree,” says Wanda. “Just knowing my parents and children were proud of me is enough.”\r\n\r\nIt was not long after Wanda handed her degree to her supervisor that she found herself promoted to Team Leader and enjoying a nice salary bump. Her new responsibilities include supervision of 19 employees and fill in leadership in the absence of her supervisor.\r\n\r\nWanda is pleased with her degree, but she is hungry for another. She knows she will have Janice (and her own family) behind her, and finds herself taking on the role of cheerleader.\r\n\r\n“Now I’m motivating her, too, to pursue our Bachelor degrees together,” says Wanda.', 'The Power of One', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'the-power-of-one', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:27:36', '2014-10-17 19:27:36', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1299', 0, 'post', '', 0);
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(12392, 17, '2013-05-23 14:58:33', '2013-05-23 21:58:33', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Winners.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1306" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Winners.jpg" alt="Winners" width="346" height="206" /></a>Doubters and nay-sayers step aside. <a title="SJVC Temecula" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula">Temecula’</a>s <i>Pink Puffers </i>showed ‘em all how the new kids on the RT block can sweep up in competition. Last week our Temecula campus sent two teams of 3-students to the statewide Sputum Bowl conference in San Diego where they competed against 22 other teams – including <a title="SJVC Rancho Cucamonga" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cucamonga">SJVC Rancho Cucamonga’s </a><i>Premature Buzzers</i> – to bring home the championship win.\r\n\r\n“It is an amazing feat for a young <a title="Respiratory Therapy" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy">RT</a> program that has yet to have any graduates!” enthuses Robyn Whiles, Temecula Campus Director. “It says millions about the rigors and quality of our program.”\r\n\r\nThe Bowl’s Jeopardy-style rounds ask questions in varying degrees of difficulty about RT industry theories, disciplines and practices.  Two days and 10-hours of heated buzzer-slams resulted in intense playoffs among the four remaining teams: SJVC-Temecula vs. Mt. Sac and SJVC-Rancho Cucamonga vs. Crafton Hills. First-round playoffs saw Rancho Cucamonga and Mt. Sac slide away. Temecula’s <i>Pink Puffers </i>then threw down with the Crafton Hills’ <i>Peep of 4 </i>to bring home the win.\r\n\r\nThe winning <i>Puffers</i> Cheryl Stansbury, Alyssa Reber and Anthony Cocilova came in 3<sup>rd</sup> when they competed in the Regional competition in April (Rancho Cucamonga’s <i>Buzzers </i>came in 2<sup>nd</sup>). Their coach and SJVC faculty member, Shannon Cocilova, has been working with the determined team for several months in preparation to move through the competition and take the title.\r\n\r\nThe big finale to Respiratory Therapy’s Sputum Bowl Competition is looming. The nationwide competition will pit state winners against each other to take the national title. But, there is at least one more recently converted fan rooting for the <i>Puffers</i>. Rancho Cucamonga RT Program Director, Ricardo Guzman, weighs in with a message to Temecula Campus Director, Robyn Whiles: “Your young students showed heart and courage, and placed themselves on the RT map,” says Guzman. “And, they get to represent the entire state and all of SJVC at the National Competition in Anaheim in November.”\r\n\r\nRicardo Guzman’s comments reflect the pride we all take in the accomplishments of all three of our competing teams. Also from Temecula, the <i>Blue Bloaters</i>: Jig Paten, Ian Peterson, Brittany Rubiano, Desiree Trejo and Team Coach, Shannon Cocilova. And from Rancho Cucamonga, the <i>Premature Buzzers</i>: Weston Taylor, Anthony Covarrubias, Seth Winetrout, Christopher Shannon and Team Coach, Grey Benton.\r\n\r\nHaving won a seat at the National Competition, the <i>Pink Puffers </i>are back in training and dreaming about bringing home the Big Prize. They have lots of supporters. “Now everyone knows what we already knew,” says Guzman. “SJVC Temecula Rocks!”\r\n\r\nGuzman’s support does have its limits, however. “We are all very proud of you,” he says. “But watch out next year; we’re coming for you!”', 'New Respiratory Therapy Program Brings Home the Win', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'new-respiratory-therapy-program-brings-home-the-win', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy', '2014-10-17 12:27:20', '2014-10-17 19:27:20', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1305', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12393, 17, '2013-05-29 15:02:52', '2013-05-29 22:02:52', '<img class=" wp-image-1405 alignleft" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Christian-Phipps-RESIZED.jpg" alt="Christian Phipps RESIZED" width="210" height="203" />Gulf War veteran, Christian Phipps, knows something about pain and loss. Repeated injuries to his back – including a T-bone collision with a car that ran a stop sign – along with many surgeries to various damaged vertebrae, have put him on the sideline of careers and life while he struggled to find his way back. He had high hopes in May, 2010 that the<a title="SJVC Bakersfield Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield" target="_blank"> Bakersfield </a>Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting program would help him get there.\n\nBut after just 10-months as a <a title="Medical Assistant " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical_assistant" target="_blank">CAMA</a> student, the stresses of his classes, reoccurring PTSD and back problems caused him to withdraw from the program and, for a time, become a full-time patient. Christian knew right away that although leaving school was necessary, it wasn’t the right move. “After a few months I humbled myself to the faculty and asked to be re-admitted,” says Christian. “I wanted to complete what I started and did everything they asked to show this time would be different.” His application was finally approved and his ‘start date’ was January 27th.\n\nOn January 26th Christian was assaulted, while riding his bike, and knocked unconscious. After a long night in the Emergency Room, he showed up for the first day of his afternoon program. “I told myself that as long as I’m here, can breathe and walk, and there are no visible signs of blood, nothing will keep me from obtaining my goal,” says Christian. “I had to work to get to get the OK to come back to school, and I appreciated this second chance.”\n\nChristian has focused his determination and commitment to another area important to him, as well. As an Army veteran, Christian is very aware of other veterans who are struggling to resume civilian life, find out about educational opportunities and settle in to a career. Christian wants to start a veteran’s resource service that will help those who are interested in continuing their education, and he is exploring starting such a Veteran’s Student Body Club on campus. “I’d like to reach out into the community to let vets know about what is available to them, such as the Veteran’s Rehabilitation Assistance Program (VRAP),” he says, which can provide education financial assistance for up to 12-months. Talks are underway with <a title="SJVC " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a> representatives.\n\nChristian sees his career future linked to the Veteran’s Healthcare Administration and a timeline that supports his vision. “With troops returning from Afghanistan in 2015 there will be a need for more professionals at every level to provide medical care and administrative support,” says Christian. He wants to help other veterans in any way he can. “Whatever department needs the most help is the direction I will go in,” he says. “It’s almost like I want to serve again,” says Christian. “By serving them, I am serving my country again.”\n\nThe life lesson isn’t missed on Christian’s 13-year old daughter, Kieran. “She is ‘Daddy’s Girl’ and the love of my life,” says Christian. “And, I know she is extremely happy for me.”\n\nLooking back on all they have had to endure to get to this point, Christian sees only the bright side. “What a great story this will be at my graduation.”', 'Veteran Fights to Finish what He Started ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'veteran-fights-to-finish-what-he-started-2', '', '', '2014-09-25 17:13:52', '2014-09-26 00:13:52', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1403', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12394, 17, '2013-05-29 15:16:55', '2013-05-29 22:16:55', '<strong><em><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1413" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Allen-LaHeist-RESIZED2.jpg" alt="Allen LaHeist RESIZED" width="200" height="300" />“Mr. Allen LaHeist is one of the best teachers there (Temecula campus). He not only </em></strong><strong><em>teaches us from the book, but also teaches us life lessons. There is never a day that </em></strong><strong><em>we don’t learn something new. Our grades in class can prove his excellence in teaching.” </em></strong><strong><em>– Shannon Rorabaugh, student</em></strong>\r\n\r\nAllen LaHeist is one of those people who is meant to be a teacher. As an Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman – ‘combat medic’ – for 21-years, he has a lot of life experience to share. “I’m prior military, so I’m always teaching somebody something,” says LaHeist. And, the<a title="SJVC Temecula Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula" target="_blank"> Temecula </a>campus was fortunate enough to get him on faculty and put him in front of knowledge-hungry students.\r\n\r\nAllen knows he is connecting with students from his Monthly Reviews. But nothing feels as good as real-time positive feedback. “Every time I walk down the hall somebody grabs me and says, ‘I wish you were still my teacher,’” he says.\r\n\r\nThat doesn’t mean that students haven’t struggled in his classes, which include <a title="Medical Assisting " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical_assistant" target="_blank">Medical Assisting</a>, <a title="Pharmacy Technology " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/pharmacy-technology" target="_blank">Pharmacy Technology</a> and Business Administration program curriculum. “No matter which class it is, I try to keep it as fun and interesting as possible,” says LaHeist. “No one learns much if it isn’t fun.”\r\n\r\nMost of his students come into their MA class with horror stories of a missed vein or huge bruises from previous blood draws and so “are a little phobic about drawing blood,” says Allen. “By the time they leave my class they are proficient at it and can stick anybody.”\r\n\r\nAllen employs a technique – a verbal drill – that drives his point home to students. “See one, do one, teach one.” First, the student watches, then performs the task, then shows someone else. “You don’t know it until you can teach it,” says LaHeist, who, with two Masters’ Degrees, knows something about learning methodologies from both ends of the spectrum.\r\n\r\nBut Allen saves his best advice for those hugely stressful times in students’ lives. Whether it is a struggle with memorization, exam anxiety, fear of blood or not getting an important subject concept, he reminds them to “just breathe”. “That’s what they forget to do,” he says. “If someone tells me they can’t do math, I say ‘relax, just breathe, and we’ll find another way to teach you.’” Not everyone learns in the same way, or has a teacher who understands that so well.', 'Teacher Student Connection ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'teacher-student-connection', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:27:02', '2014-10-17 19:27:02', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1412', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12395, 17, '2013-05-31 11:30:44', '2013-05-31 18:30:44', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1427" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Fresno IT and Aviation Students Welding" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Fresno-IT-and-Aviation-Welding-and-Fabrication-REVISION.jpg" alt="SJVC Fresno IT and Aviation Students Welding" width="280" height="210" />Five IT students got to stretch their skills and program curriculum in a week-long stint at the Fresno Aviation campus in May. IT instructor Chris Barger arranged to have them use the<a title="SJVC Aviation Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-campus" target="_blank"> Aviation campus’ </a>welding lab to fabricate a 400 lb. metal table for their own IT lab.\n\nIt was great fun for the students, gave them some experience with welding techniques and provided a much-needed table for the IT program’s use for many years to come.\n\nBut, there was an even more important reason to break away from routine: “Employers, staffing agencies and Advisory Board members have been asking us to include welding and fabrication training into our<a title="SJVC Industrial Technology Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/industrial-technology" target="_blank"> Industrial Technology </a>curriculum for awhile,” says Barger. “It is technical experience that will make our graduates in even greater demand.”\n\nDuring the week spent at the Aviation program lab, IT students learned how to set up a welder, fabricate and weld mild steel and use a drill press, tap and dye set, sheet metal shear and break, as well as grind and use a chop saw. The result was a hefty metal structure painted industry-recognized ‘Tool Box Red’ and sporting an aluminum plate bolted to one of the legs with each of the students’ names stamp-punched as the table’s makers.\n\nDid we mention the table is sturdy? “We’ve put every industrial trainer that will fit on the table and it hasn’t budged,” says Barger. “We will get years of use out of it.”\n\n“The <a title="SJVC Fresno Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno" target="_blank">Fresno campus </a>IT program would like to thank the Aviation campus for their gracious welcome and for lending them access to their welding lab for this, the first of many opportunities to come,” says Will Cummings, Dean of Student Services.\n\nUndoubtedly a successful venture for his class into welding and fabrication, Chris Barger is already planning their next project.', 'Industrial Tech students go heavy metal ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'industrial-tech-students-go-heavy-metal', '', '', '2014-09-25 17:17:06', '2014-09-26 00:17:06', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1429', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12396, 8, '2013-06-04 11:02:18', '2013-06-04 18:02:18', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/VT-Acred-Photo-RESIZED.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1450" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/VT-Acred-Photo-RESIZED-300x200.jpg" alt="SJVC Veterinary Technician Students " width="240" height="160" /></a>\r\n\r\nThanks to the hard work and dedication of the Fresno Veterinary Technology (VT) faculty and staff, the VT program has received official accreditation status. This is a huge achievement for the campus and speaks volumes about SJVC’s commitment to offering quality educational opportunities to the local community.\r\n\r\nThe recent provisional accreditation adds quite a bit of value to the VT program an especially its students. The accreditation, effective January 18th, 2013, means students are eligible to take their Registered Veterinary Technician Exam (RVTE) straightaway upon completion of the 15-month program. In the case of a non-accredited school, graduates are required to serve 4,400 hours in the field before being permitted to take the exam.\r\n\r\nTaking the test immediately after completing the course allows graduates’ careers to progress in a more advanced manner. The California Veterinary Medical Board 2012 statistics state that students who take their RVTE soon after graduating have a pass rate of 80% while students with a prolonged time lapse or repeated exam dates have a 50% rate of passing.\r\n\r\n“This accreditation shows our students, industry professionals, and community what we have always known about the quality of our VT program,” says the VT program director, Erin Miracle.\r\n\r\nThis new status as an accredited program embodies the great potential of the VT program here at SJVC. Corporate Director of Program Compliance, Greg Osborn says, “This accreditation is both a reflection and endorsement of the quality of our overall VT program, staff and students”.\r\n\r\nOut of the 30 schools who have applied for VT accreditation over the past year, only 17 of them were granted approval-including SJVC- making SJVC’s VT program one of only 200 accredited VT programs across the entire nation.\r\n\r\n“Our students are bright, determined and fiercely proud of our program… and our instructors instill in our students the qualities that they need to be productive, independent technicians in a field we all care about very deeply,” says Miracle.\r\n\r\nAs one of the few outstanding VT programs available, SJVC’s VT program equips all of its students with the tools to do their very best in their future career. They are educated on all the ins-and-outs of animal patient care—from surgical procedures and testing to proper communication with pet owners. By completion of the program, students have evolved from pupils to soon-to-be-professionals with an immense passion for their very bright futures.', 'Congratulations to the Fresno VT program! ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'vet-techs-3-year-accreditation-voyage-has-ended', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:26:46', '2014-10-17 19:26:46', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1446', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12397, 17, '2013-06-05 10:13:35', '2013-06-05 17:13:35', '<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1437" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Mike-Mattingly-ORIGINAL-NO-RESIZE.jpg" alt="SJVC Online Student Mike Mattingly" width="200" height="200" />In 2008 Mike Mattingly and his wife Tabatha were enjoying the good life in Phoenix, AZ. Mike was earning a good salary working for a civil engineering firm with all the perks. Then, whoosh, it was gone. The economic crunch hit them hard.\n\nIt was a time when businesses were downsizing aggressively and Mike was caught up in the wave of layoffs. “I had a lot of experience and was very good at my job, but businesses were using a fine-tooth comb on employee qualifications and if you didn’t have a degree you were gone,” says Mike. He found the same situation in the months ahead, as he searched for work. “Employers are very specific about a degree,” he says. “They have a level of prestige they want to offer clients.” At 29 Mike knew he had to “get that piece of paper”.\n\nIn 2011, after a few years of struggle, Mike and Tabatha moved to Laguna Beach, CA where she went to work as a loan processor for a large bank and he got a full-time job as a concierge at a beach-side hotel. He enrolled in SJVC’s Construction Management<a title="SJVC Online Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online" target="_blank"> Online program </a>and buckled down. It was the right move.\n\nMike got lots of support from Tabatha who encouraged him to just “Do what you need to do,” to make it happen, and she would take care of everything else. Together for 13-years, “We just make good life partners,” says Mike. “As the primary financial provider, she basically allowed me to go back to school.”\n\nOnce he locked in to back-to-school mode Mike definitely made it happen, earning a 4.0 GPA throughout his 14-month program. He liked the fact that his instructors all worked in the <a title="SJVC Construction Management Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/construction-management" target="_blank">construction field</a>. “They would bring their real-life job issues to the classroom, so it wasn’t all textbook,” says Mike. He juggled work, school and home life, and this February Mike graduated at the top of his class.\n\nMike’s first official interview after graduation was for a Project Engineer position with a big construction management company of about 100-employees. When he got home he told Tabatha that he really felt good about the interview, and that the company said they would get back to him in a week or two. Mike turned on his computer and there was an offer letter from the company he’d just left. “We read it together and were elated,” says Mike, who “couldn’t wait to put in my 2-week’s notice at the hotel.”\n\nHis recent success in both his education and employment has spurred Mike to take it higher. “I’d like to get my Bachelor’s and get into the technical and design end of this business,” he says. But, for now, he is content with the rewards of his effort.\n\nHis first office job meant “I have my own desk and drawers, my own computer, my own stapler,” he joked. “I really got lucky with a great company; we are a good match with great chemistry,” he says. Something tells us that luck has very little to do with it.', 'Economic crunch forces big decisions ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'economic-crunch-forces-big-decisions', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online', '2014-09-25 17:11:00', '2014-09-26 00:11:00', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1454', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12398, 17, '2013-06-11 09:44:02', '2013-06-11 16:44:02', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1464" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Rebecca-FreitagRESIZED.jpg" alt="Rebecca Freitag SJVC Pharmacy Tech Student " width="158" height="210" />Rebecca Freitag-Hunden’s 4-year olds, Alexxis and Alexander, were in school and her 17-year old daughter, Melissa, was in her last year of high school, so she thought this would be a good time to try something new. She told her husband, David, “I need to go to school and learn how to do something.”<a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank"> SJVC’s </a><a title="SJVC Pharmacy Technolgoy Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/pharmacy-technology" target="_blank">Pharmacy Tech</a> program was just the ticket to break her 17-year stay-at-home-mom streak.\r\n\r\nRebecca’s excitement to begin again was short-lived when the realities of being a student kicked in. “They threw all this stuff at me,” says Rebecca. “It was like a foreign language to me.” She struggled hard, but began to fail classes. “My greatest obstacle was memorizing things…and overcoming my own stupidity!” she says.\r\n\r\nThe days passed slowly. “The more I went, the dumber I felt,” she confesses. David said what turned out to be the magic words: “Just try one more day.” “Three months later, I’m still here,” she laughs. “He’s a pretty amazing guy.” Life as a student has changed for Rebecca. “I went from Fs in my first ‘mod’ to As the last 2-months; so I’m pretty proud.”\r\n\r\nThe kids rallied around her too. Melissa became Rebecca’s drill instructor. “Missy showed me how to do PowerPoint and quizzes me every night on daily terminology,” she says. “She is a great kid and I am grateful she is my daughter.”\r\n\r\n“Alexxis always asks me, ‘Mommy, how was your school today; did you play on the playground?’” Alexander’s response is the most dramatic. “He runs to me every day when I get home,” says Rebecca. For Alex, that is a big reaction.\r\n\r\nAlexander is autistic and doesn’t usually have a big response to things. “Alex doesn’t give two hoots about people,” says Rebecca, who loves Alex’s little ‘welcome home’ acknowledgement. “He came to us when he was 7-months old and had been very neglected,” says Rebecca. “At 5-months, his diaper weighed more than he did.” Alex is sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds and doesn’t talk, except for an occasional word or two. “He says ‘awesome’ and ‘delicious’ and does his little hand-dancing game with his hands fluttering close to his face,” she says.\r\n\r\nThe Hesperia campus recently celebrated the world-wide ‘Light it Up Blue’ Shine a Light on Autism campaign to raise awareness of this neurological disorder. The campus lobby and other common areas were illuminated in blue, many students were dressed in blue and message boards contained blue bulletins is support of autism awareness. “I came to school and saw the building lit up in blue and just cried,” says Rebecca.\r\n\r\nNo matter what comes her way, Rebecca stays positive. “Every day I laugh and have a good time,” she says. When all the campuses competed in the ‘Harlem Shake’ Rebecca was right out there with other students, giving it all she’s got. “Missy always tells me, ‘YOLO, Mom, YOLO!’” You Only Live Once. Or as Rebecca says, “Every once in a while you gotta get out there and shake!”', 'Attitude makes all the difference ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'attitude-makes-all-the-difference', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:26:23', '2014-10-17 19:26:23', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1462', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12399, 17, '2013-06-18 08:45:07', '2013-06-18 15:45:07', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1472" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Respiratory Therapy Student Dario Bobadillo " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Dario-Bobadillo-RESIZED.jpg" alt="SJVC Respiratory Therapy Student Dario Bobadillo " width="280" height="210" />Dario Bobadilla knows rough road when he sees it. And three years ago life for Dario, his wife Danielle and their daughters Jasmine and Trinity was about to get bumpy. Their son Noah was born with Down Syndrome and a hole in his heart.\r\n\r\n“Everything kind of changed when our son was born,” says Dario. A month in NICU and constant doctors’ visits meant that someone had to be home and with Noah at all times. “Life threw us a curve ball,” says Dario. But that pitch only tightened their game.\r\n\r\nHaving worked as a Health Benefits Administrator and Fire Dept. EMS (EMT certified), Dario was already interested in the medical field. Noah’s medical and therapy needs gave Dario the push to go deeper. “Noah gave me the passion to be in the medical field in a way that allows me to better understand and be a part of his world,” he says. Dario enrolled in <a title="SJVC Rancho Cordova Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova" target="_blank">Rancho Cordova’s </a><a title="Respiratory Therapy Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapy program </a>when Noah was about 2-1/2 years old. “It touches me that I’ll be working in a field of cardio-pulmonary disease that affects his condition.”\r\n\r\nThe Bobadillas approach everything as a couple. “Danielle and I always try to look at the big picture,” says Dario. “We don’t have a lot right now and we budget to the last penny,” says Dario. “But we knew what we were going into.” They also knew the kind of partnership they could count on. “I honestly could not go to school and raise a family full-time without her,” says Dario. “Danielle is my biggest supporter and my best friend and without our team this could not be possible. Everyone in our family is part of our team, no one more important than the other.”\r\n\r\nSometimes it is almost too much. “Whenever we start feeling sorry for ourselves we always remember that there are others who have it worse than we do,” says Dario. “It could always be worse. Then, we just get up and do whatever it takes.”\r\n\r\nNow Dario is enjoying his externship two days a week at a local hospital. “My mouth is shut, my eyes are open and I am ready to learn,” he says. Dario started his real-world experience with the thought that “This is an 18-month interview,” he says. “My hope is that, when they are ready to hire, they will remember what I brought.”\r\n\r\nAs always, Dario has a plan after graduation: Get a job in the medical field; hone his skills as a therapist for 6-12 months; get into pediatrics or NICU. Five-years out: Become a Physician Assistant and work in Pediatrics or in an ER trauma center.\r\n\r\nNoah makes this future both plausible and personal for Dario. “Noah is showing so much promise – and he doesn’t like to fail,” says Dario. “He has rubbed off on us and made us kick it up a notch.”', 'Family’s strength makes everything possible', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'familys-strength-makes-everything-possible', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:26:02', '2014-10-17 19:26:02', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1471', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12400, 17, '2013-06-18 09:32:48', '2013-06-18 16:32:48', '<a title="SJVC Modesto Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/modesto" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-1477" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Facebook Photo" alt="SJVC Facebook Photo" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Modesto-tshirt-sales-ORIGINAL.jpg" width="203" height="203" />Modesto</a>’s Associate Student Body (ASB) is working on something that has never been done on any SJVC campus: A Graduate Reunion!\r\n\r\nOn a recent Senior Management visit to the campus Mike Perry, CEO, mentioned the reunion idea and sparked the interest of ASB Advisor and Gen Ed instructor, Robin McCracken. Robin took it to an ASB meeting and all 15-members were on board to make it happen.\r\n\r\nWith over 2,200 graduates during the 9-years the campus has been in business, fundraising for this event will be a critical component of its success. Everything from food sales, dress-down days and flower sales at graduation are in the works to contribute to making this reunion something very special.\r\n\r\nIt is perfect timing for Modesto to be the campus that benefits from June’s motivational T-shirt sales. For every T-shirt sold, Modesto will get $1.00.\r\n\r\nThese <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a> tees are growing more popular among students every month and sales are going great. The t-shirts, with messages of commitment, inspiration, humor and insight are showing up on dress-down days and off-campus events. School pride is strong among so many, as they strive to balance school/home/work to complete their visions of educational success.\r\n\r\nEach month a different campus is selected to benefit from tees sold. Last month it was Hesperia’s Student Support Fund, and in July the Bakersfield campus will have a little extra money coming in to support the cause or event of their choice.\r\n\r\nEveryone can help the Modesto campus raise money for ASB’s Graduate Reunion. Browse the selections at https://www.facebook.com/SJVCs/app_515661228485859. T-shirts can be purchased for $6.00, using Paypal or a credit card on SJVC’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sjvcs. There is no charge for shipping if you pick up your purchase at your Career Services office; otherwise it is $4.00 to send it elsewhere. SJVC is selling the T-shirts to you at cost – plus a dollar donation to a fellow campus.\r\n\r\nAnd just think; if Modesto campus’s Grad Reunion is a huge success….your campus might throw one of your own!', 'Modesto will use T-shirt sales bump for a big idea!', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'modesto-will-use-t-shirt-sales-bump-for-a-big-idea', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:25:43', '2014-10-17 19:25:43', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1476', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12401, 8, '2013-06-18 10:11:30', '2013-06-18 17:11:30', '<img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1481" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="Blue Cessna Plan Donated by SJVC of Aviation " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CAM-Blue-Cessna-RESIZED-300x225.jpg" alt="Blue Cessna Plan Donated by SJVC of Aviation " width="271" height="216" />Committed to the core value of Community in our mission statement,<a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank"> SJVC </a>has recently added recycling and reusing to the list of ways we serve the public, and in the best way possible.\r\n\r\nIn 2011, after several years of use SJVC donated a 1968  Blue Cessna 150 to the Castle Air Museum (CAM) in Atwater, California.\r\n\r\nThe Castle Air Museum is a non-profit organization where restored war planes from the Korean, Vietnam, and World Wars are on display to be enjoyed by the public.\r\n\r\n“The museum began in June of 1981… and today it is the largest air craft museum between Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon,” says Executive Director of CAM, Joe Pruzzo.\r\n\r\nThe plane was donated to SJVC’s<a title="SJVC of Aviation " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-campus" target="_blank"> aviation campus </a>by a privately owned organization and was used by aviation students for general training with airframes, patchwork, and interior repairs.\r\n\r\nAs the plane was thoroughly used by the aviation program in Fresno, it reached a state where it had seen much better days.\r\n\r\n“I am friends with Joe Pruzzo, CEO of the Castle Air Museum, and we were walking around the campus and I mentioned to him that we were probably going to scrap it for metal because it was falling apart, and he suggested that we donate it to the museum and make it kid friendly," explains aviation Campus Director Jack Macfarlane.\r\n\r\nOnce the fate of the Cessna was decided, it was disassembled by the aviation students and transported all the way to Atwater on a flatbed trailer.\r\n\r\nToday, the 1968  Blue Cessna 150 is fully restored, and children can explore the plane’s cockpit and experience what it would be like to fly it. Regarding the new state of the plane,\r\n\r\n“We are very proud of it,” Macfarlane proclaims.\r\n\r\nThe donation of this plane is not where community involvement stops for these aviation students.\r\n\r\n“We have already had a few past students who have donated their time at the museum to help restore aircraft there… I believe seeing us donate items to the museum and seeing items given to us to rework gives our students a sense that the <a title="Aviation Maintenance Technology at SJVC " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-maintenance-technology" target="_blank">Aviation Maintenance </a>community takes care of each other because we all have the same passion, working on airplanes,” says Jason Alves, the Academic Dean of Aviation.\r\n\r\nAlong with donating their time to work on the planes, many students are able to support the museum by attending their fundraisers. Some of which include the family friendly Labor Day Weekend Open Cockpit Day, and a musical concert at the Merced Theatre on August 3rd.\r\n\r\nAs Mr. Pruzzo and the Castle Air Museum are able to have parts and planes restored for display, our students are given hands-on experience and an easy way to get involved in the community.\r\n\r\n“We want to work collaboratively with the aviation students. The goal is to have students come up and work on the aircraft to earn some sort of credit,” states Pruzzo.\r\n\r\nWhen asked about the symbiotic relationship SJVC has with the great people at the Castle Air Museum Macfarlane says,\r\n\r\n“It is a wonderful relationship we have.”', 'Donation boosts involvement in local aviation community ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'donation-boosts-the-involvement-in-local-aviaton-community', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:25:30', '2014-10-17 19:25:30', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1480', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12402, 8, '2013-06-25 09:25:36', '2013-06-25 16:25:36', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1493" title="Administrative Health Care Management Student Suzy Alva" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Suzy-Alva-RESIZED1-225x300.jpg" alt="Administrative Health Care Management Student Suzy Alva" width="180" height="240" /><em>“Just put your feet up to the edge, put your face in the wind and when you fall back down, keep remembering… Every storm runs out of rain." –Gary Allen, Country Singer/Songwriter</em>\r\n\r\nGrowing up in El Paso, Texas Suzana Alva is a dedicated fan of country music. Life has presented Suzana with various challenges. Her fortitude has remained strong in the difficult times with her constant determination and encouragement from her favorite true blue lyrics. “Every Storm” by Gary Allen is her current favorite,\r\n\r\n“It really motivates me… I can really relate to it,” says Suzana about the country hit.\r\n\r\nResiding in Lancaster and working part time as an accounting clerk Suzy was anxious to begin her journey towards her longstanding dream,\r\n\r\n“I wanted to study Kinesiology. Because I had 6 surgeries on my knee in high school; I feel that PT is important. It’s not only a physical thing, but a mental and emotional thing as well."\r\n\r\nAs she began to develop a plan to achieve her long term goal of studying Kinesiology at Cal State Northridge, Suzy found her way to <a title="Courses at San Joaquin Valley College" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a>. Deciding to “start somewhere” Suzy enrolled in the Administrative Healthcare Management (AHCM) Program at <a title="SJVC Lancaster" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/" target="_blank">SJVC Lancaster</a> in December of 2012\r\n\r\nJust as Suzy enrolled she received heart breaking news from home. Her sister had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Without a second thought Suzy put her dream on hold, packed her bags, and made the journey back to El Paso to help her parents care for her sister. Sadly, Suzy’s sister passed away in March 2013. Following the passing of her sister Suzy says,\r\n\r\n“I took a month off, but then I told myself, ‘life has to continue and I need to pursue my education’."\r\n\r\nA time where most people would be discouraged, Suzy persevered. Suzy resumed her education with more determination and diligence than ever. Suzy’s advisor Crystal Monlina has nothing but sweet praises to sing of her,\r\n\r\n“Susana is the type of person who when they are up against a struggle, she meets it squarely face to face. Everyday has been hard for her since her sister’s death, but she still keeps going.”\r\n\r\nAll of Suzy’s hard work through this trying time has molded her into the hard worker she is today. This new perspective has given Suzy an assurance of her future. She says,\r\n\r\n“In my heart I know this is what I was brought here on Earth to do; help people with these problems- not only mentally but physically."', 'Pursuit of destiny in the wake of a tragedy ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'pursuit-of-destiny-in-wake-of-tragedy', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:25:14', '2014-10-17 19:25:14', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1492', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12403, 8, '2013-06-26 10:16:57', '2013-06-26 17:16:57', '<em><img class="alignleft wp-image-1500" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Criminal Justice Instructor Michael Stewart " alt="SJVC Criminal Justice Instructor Michael Stewart " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Michael-Stewart-RESIZED-225x300.jpg" width="180" height="240" />“There are so many things I could say about Mr. Stewart, but he is honestly one of the greatest instructors and people I have had the pleasure of knowing in my life.” –Cadet Raven James</em>\r\n\r\nIt can be said that passion for your career is key to leading a happy and successful life. Michael Stewart, a <a title="Criminal Justice Program at SJVC " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/criminal-justice-corrections" target="_blank">criminal justice</a> instructor at <a title="SJVC Hesperia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/victor-valley/" target="_blank">SJVC Hesperia</a>, lives and breathes this motto.\r\n\r\nJoining the SJVC Hesperia staff three and half years ago, Michael has become, in the eyes of many of his students, a dream instructor. His teaching extends far beyond the world of law enforcement, providing excellent lessons applicable to daily life.\r\n\r\nI can’t lie… I enjoy it quite a bit. I enjoy teaching the young. The staff and I are trying to mold the people for the career that we love,” Stewart says.\r\n\r\nIn his free time, Michael likes to relax and fish. However, since he is a guy who loves to stay busy, his plate is always full. When he isn’t spending time with kids, he is mentoring youth in his game room at home, or co-coaching the Victor Valley College women’s basketball team with his wife. As a former professional basketball player in Portugal, Spain, Michael has a lot to offer the young ladies on his team.\r\n\r\nWatching his children’s success has provided him with a lot of inspiration. Much of Michael’s daily motivation comes from seeing his son, who is missing 3 fingers, defy many social and athletic boundaries.\r\n\r\nMichael’s interest in law enforcement came from watching crime shows like COPS, and his draw to education stemmed from the negative choices he could see many of today’s youth making. When discussing younger generations he says,\r\n\r\n“I felt a need to get involved… I’ve been involved quite a bit in the mentality of speaking to the youth. Because some elder people come from an old-fashioned place, it’s not always implemented in the most effective way, but the old school can be implemented if you have the right people to guide them.”\r\n\r\nHe continuously preaches the importance of punctuality and communication to his students. In doing this, Michael hopes to help his students establish a good work ethic. He also likes to keep his students on their toes because, once his students go into the law enforcement field, they will need to be ready to face unanticipated circumstances.\r\n\r\nMichael has a mantra he preaches to his students to use both in school and in their future careers: “Fair, firm, and consistent.”\r\n\r\n“If you can go by that in law enforcement, you will have an excellent career,” Michael says.\r\n\r\nMichael has invested much of his time and effort in his students and players to help them work toward a bright future. It is easily said that his stern, caring, and hardworking character has enabled him to impact the lives of many so far, and will only empower him to continue to do so in the future.', 'A heart for law enforcement ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-heart-for-law-enforcement', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/victor-valley/', '2014-10-17 12:24:52', '2014-10-17 19:24:52', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1499', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12404, 17, '2013-07-01 08:21:47', '2013-07-01 15:21:47', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1503" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Board of Govenors Nina Clancy Woman of the Year" alt="SJVC Board of Govenors Nina Clancy Woman of the Year" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Nina-Clancy-Woman-of-the-Year-RESIZED.jpg" width="172" height="245" />Nina Clancy has put her mark on education in our community as head of two Montessori schools and – a little closer to home – as a member of <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a>’s Board of Governors for the past few years.\r\n\r\nNina was recently recognized for her contributions and service, as well as leadership skills, by being named Woman of the Year by the <a title="SJVC Visalia Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia" target="_blank">Visalia </a>Chamber of Commerce. She and Man of the Year, Steve Solomon, were honored at the 60th Annual Awards Celebration held at the Visalia Convention Center last week. “I am humbled to be a part of this community, and I’m honored with this award,” says Nina.\r\n\r\nSJVC’s President, Mark Perry, is not surprised at her recognition, having spent the last 20-years serving on boards, campaigns and community events with Nina, who has also served on the Visalia Unified School Board. “I have never worked with a more dedicated, personable and hard-working person,” he says. “She is the perfect selection for VCC Woman of the Year. I can''t think of a more deserving individual.”\r\n\r\nOver the years Nina Clancy has made important contributions to our college in her role as a member of SJVC’s Board of Governors, as well as in positions that represented the school during accreditation processes and site visits. Whether contributing a perspective from her sharp business acumen, casting a vote on new program consideration or helping to generate graduate placement opportunities, Nina is plugged in to SJVC’s success. “We owe Nina a debt of gratitude for her precious time and commitment in serving our SJVC students, faculty and staff,” says Perry.\r\n\r\nNina Clancy’s professional code of ethics and commitment to education contribute very purposefully and directly to the success of others. “Success is based on how well you navigate each day,” says Nina. “It is important to see each day as something wonderful and full of opportunities to do your best and a chance to encourage others.”\r\n\r\nNina’s words result in actions that permeate her world and all who are fortunate enough to be touched by its spirit of generosity.', 'Long-term SJVC supporter wins Chamber award', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'long-term-sjvc-supporter-wins-chamber-award', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:24:22', '2014-10-17 19:24:22', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1502', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12405, 17, '2013-07-02 09:20:03', '2013-07-02 16:20:03', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1509" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Dario-Bobadillo-Scholarship-Picture-RESIZED.jpg" alt="SJVC Student Dario Bobadillo" width="162" height="245" />\r\n\r\nLess than 3-months away from graduating from <a title="SJVC Rancho Cordova Campus" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova" target="_blank">Rancho Cordova’s </a>RT program, Dario Bobadilla manages to maintain a 3.36 GPA while volunteering for and supporting such community organizations and events as The American Lung Association, Cystic Fibrosis foundation, Down Syndrome Information Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, various health walks and health fairs and the YMCA.\r\n\r\nDario’s program externship puts him in front of patients every week, many suffering from the effects of cardio-pulmonary disease. His desire to make his life’s work helping others breathe a little easier combined with his involvement in the community made him an ideal choice for the Society of Respiratory Care’s Breathe California Scholarship.\r\n\r\nThe $1,000 scholarship is an award that recognizes the recipient’s leadership qualities, advocacy for clean air and promotion of public health in local communities. Rancho Cordova Campus Dean of Student Services, Amy Bianco, helped Dario complete his scholarship application and was among the first to hear the good news. “I was excited when I found out that Dario was the recipient of this scholarship,” says Bianco. “He is a very dedicated student and this award is well deserved! Dario shows great passion for his chosen field and will be an amazing <a title="Respiratory Therapy Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapist</a>!”\r\n\r\nDario traveled to San Diego on May 7th to receive his Breathe California Scholarship award. Dario’s wife Danielle and their children Jasmine, Trinity and Noah were so proud of his accomplishment. "There are two things you can control in life, your attitude and your effort; and this scholarship was a perfect example of that,” says Dario.\r\n\r\nThree-year old Noah was born with Down Syndrome and a hole in his heart.\r\n\r\n“Noah gave me the passion to be in the medical field in a way that allows me to understand and be a part of his world,” says Dario.\r\n\r\nThe Society of Respiratory Care’s scholarship will be an impressive addition to Dario’s resume and further boost his desirability to prospective employers.', 'Respiratory Therapy student wins CA scholarship', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'respiratory-therapy-student-wins-ca-scholarship', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:24:09', '2014-10-17 19:24:09', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1508', 0, 'post', '', 0);
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(12406, 17, '2013-07-03 12:02:15', '2013-07-03 19:02:15', '[caption id="attachment_1517" align="alignleft" width="252"]<img class=" wp-image-1517  " style="margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; border: black 1px solid;" title="Sue Smilie Janecek  " alt="Sue Smilie Janecek  " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sue-Smilie-Janecek-RESIZED.jpg" width="252" height="315" /> After years of volunteer work, Sue has finally been named Chairman of the Board for the Fresno chapter.[/caption]\r\n\r\nTen years of volunteering for the United Way of Fresno County has positioned SJVC’s own Sue Smilie-Janecek for an eventual position as Chairman of the Board for this local chapter. Smilie-Janecek assumed the reins on July 1st to begin her 2-year term.\r\n\r\nWhen Sue was first introduced to the local United Way, she was struck by the scope of the United Way’s commitment to and ability to help others. “I was so impressed at what they were trying to do to improve the quality of life for people in our community,” says Smilie-Janecek, who is San Joaquin Valley College’s Director of Research and Development.\r\n\r\nOver the years Smilie-Janecek has fulfilled many roles for United Way, including service on the Executive Committee, Secretary of the Board of Directors (two 2-year terms) and Vice Chair. In these roles Sue has provided hard work and leadership in the United Way’s Toys for Tots annual campaigns, live theatre production fundraisers – including 2011’s Shep’s Christmas Wish, which she produced.\r\n\r\nDuring her time here at <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC,</a> Sue Smilie-Janecek has been the first to bring the college staff and students into United Way fundraising activities and events, which have benefitted both SJVC and this well-known community service provider. Our students have been both volunteers and recipients of the United Way’s many community program provisions. An example is the United Way’s Day of Caring, during which they organize hundreds of volunteers to provide services to the community, such as house repair/painting, garden planting, animal enclosure repair at the zoo and visits to patients in local hospitals.\r\n\r\nUnited Way’s 211 phone line connection, which handles non-life threatening emergencies, and Sparkpoint Center, a free community outreach program, are two community resources that provide assistance to hundreds of people throughout Fresno County. Supported by fundraisers, the 211 call line helps with emergencies such as home eviction, emergency food rations and social service issues. The Sparkpoint Center provides free services to those who meet lower income criteria, such as establishing a banking relationship, assisting with filing income tax returns and providing mortgage counseling.\r\n\r\n“The United Way’s Mission Statement to ‘improve quality of life in our community’ says it all,” says Smilie-Janecek. Her new responsibilities as Chairman of the Board put her in a position to help focus attention on their three primary areas of community impact: educational opportunities, access to healthcare and increasing income.\r\n\r\n“The staff and Board are very excited about Sue taking over during the next two years,” says Michael Alexander, President and CEO of United Way of Fresno County. “We are looking forward to her leadership and community connections, as she takes on the role as Chairman, working with the staff, Board and community partners to improve the lives of the people living in Fresno County.”', 'SJVC employee takes leadership role for United Way of Fresno Co.', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sjvc-employee-takes-leadership-role-for-united-way-of-fresno-co', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:23:54', '2014-10-17 19:23:54', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1516', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12407, 8, '2013-07-09 11:46:38', '2013-07-09 18:46:38', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1529" style="margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Rancho Cucamonga Blood Drive " alt="SJVC Rancho Cucamonga Blood Drive " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/R-CUC-blood-drive-photo-RESIZED1-300x300.jpg" width="144" height="144" />Potentially 87 lives were saved by <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a> students and faculty through SJVC Rancho Cucamonga’s semiannual, campus-wide blood drive this past June!\r\n\r\nThe blood drive supported the local community hospitals and contributed to the blood supply of those institutions.\r\n\r\nWhen the Red Cross Blood Mobile arrived on campus, students were excited to be involved with something so important and many were willing to wait nearly an hour to donate blood.\r\n\r\nTestifying to the success of this blood drive is SJVC <a title="SJVC Rancho Cucamonga Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cucamonga" target="_blank">Rancho Cucamonga’s </a>Division Manager, Davina Cary.\r\n\r\n“We collected a total of 29 units of blood… that is enough blood to potentially save 87 lives!” says Davina.\r\n\r\nTo increase participation and to thank students for their generous donation, each student was given a set of tickets to a Los Angeles Galaxy soccer game.\r\n\r\nThe success of this drive is spurring the staff and students on to the next drive, scheduled to take place in six months, bringing more opportunities to save lives and impact the local community.\r\n\r\nGreat work, SJVC Rancho Cucamonga!', 'Rancho Cucamonga Gives Blood and Saves Lives ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'rancho-cucamonga-gives-blood-and-saves-lives', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:23:40', '2014-10-17 19:23:40', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1523', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12408, 8, '2013-07-10 14:40:09', '2013-07-10 21:40:09', '[caption id="attachment_1533" align="alignleft" width="146"]<img class=" wp-image-1533" style="margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; border: black 1px solid;" title="Frank Rodriguez" alt="Frank Rodriguez" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Frank-Rodriguez-RESIZED-199x300.jpg" width="146" height="219" /> After graduating from SJVC as a student, Frank stayed with the school as an employee, to this day.[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn 2010, Frank Rodriguez had just graduated from high school and was anxiously awaiting his future as a student at San Joaquin Valley College. Fast forward three years later and Frank is still a member of the SJVC family as an Admissions Representative in the call center.\r\n\r\nInitially Frank was a potential student looking for a paralegal program, but his interest peaked when discussing <a title="SJVC Business Administration Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration" target="_blank">Business Administration </a>(BA) with his admissions advisor.\r\n\r\n“My goal was to become a lawyer, but SJVC changed that- in a good way!” he says.\r\n\r\nAs a student, Frank began to work in the library. The time he spent there is what triggered his desire to stay at SJVC after graduation.\r\n\r\n“I fell in love with it. I loved helping the students, it was a wonderful experience,” says Frank regarding the time he spent working in the library.\r\n\r\nIn one of his last few weeks of school, Frank got wind of a job lead in the call center through his Career Services Advisor, Jeanette Drake, which propelled him toward his future as an SJVC employee.\r\n\r\nAs a student Frank’s favorite thing about <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC </a>was the family atmosphere. Because family is so important to Frank personally, that element was a key characteristic that made him fall in love with the school.\r\n\r\nNow, as an Admissions Representative, Frank’s favorite part is being able to interact with the students and do his part to encourage that same family atmosphere.\r\n\r\nAs an admissions representative Frank guarantees that students are put in touch with the people who can answer the questions they have, ensuring that they receive all the proper information.\r\n\r\n“It’s very touching,“ Franks says of the role he plays in building futures for SJVC students. “I love it!”\r\n\r\nFrank is a perfect fit for SJVC, and his passion for the school and our students is undeniable.\r\n\r\n“Yes we are a school and we are a business, but we care about you and what you want to do and what you want to become,” says Frank.\r\n\r\nWhile Frank hopes to transition into Financial Aid in the future he knows that he doesn’t want his career to develop anywhere else.\r\n\r\n“I want to stay here at SJVC. I want to retire here. I don’t want to leave,” he says.', 'In It For the Long Haul ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'in-it-for-the-long-haul', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration', '2014-10-17 12:23:21', '2014-10-17 19:23:21', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1532', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12409, 8, '2013-07-11 11:04:47', '2013-07-11 18:04:47', '[caption id="attachment_1538" align="alignleft" width="180"]<img class=" wp-image-1538" style="margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; border: black 1px solid;" title="Shirlene Williams " alt="Shirlene Williams " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Shirlene-Williams-RESIZED-225x300.jpg" width="180" height="240" /> While other retirees may be slowing down, Shirlene is more productive than ever.[/caption]\r\n\r\nShirlene Williams is defying all social boundaries. While many of her fellow senior citizen peers were turning their focus to retirement, Shirlene choose to return to school.\r\n\r\nAfter 28 years of working for the Department of Justice, Shirlene decided to pursue her interest in <a title="SJVC Program for Pharmacy Technologist " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/pharmacy-technology" target="_blank">Pharmacy Technology</a> (PT). She found her way to SJVC through an ad in the Penny Saver. When she walked in she felt that there was something unique about the atmosphere.\r\n\r\n“Hey I like this!” she recalls saying to herself.\r\n\r\nShirlene believes people should do more once reaching a retirement age rather than slow down, and she is determined to do just that!\r\n\r\nAlthough she never planned on going back to school this late in life, Shirlene is confident in her decision. It is noticeable in her voice that she truly feels that this is a terrific decision.\r\n\r\n“I hadn’t really planned on it [going back to school],” Shirlene says, “It was just something that came upon me. I was sitting down one day and my mind was working on something; I needed something to do!”\r\n\r\nAs Shirlene prepares for her first set of finals, she is confident in her future here at SJVC <a title="SJVC Lancaster" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/" target="_blank">Lancaster</a>. Although she is an independent learner, she is comforted (and taken aback!) by the assistance that is always available.\r\n\r\n“Everyone is so friendly. When I walk in the door and they greet me instantly with a “Hi!” It takes me aback because people at other places aren’t like that. The staff is people you want to help you,” says Shirlene.\r\n\r\nShirlene hopes her decision to go back to school will encourage others to go against the norm of society and do something different that will benefit both themselves and others in the community.\r\n\r\n“Listen to yourself, listen to your heart, do what you want to do. You’re going to school for yourself and to make things better for the community and the people,” Shirlene advises.\r\n\r\nShirlene ‘s confidence is an inspiration to all people contemplating the choice of returning to school, no matter what their age.', 'It''s Never Too Late ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'its-never-too-late-2', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/', '2014-10-17 12:23:03', '2014-10-17 19:23:03', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1537', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12410, 8, '2013-07-15 11:34:58', '2013-07-15 18:34:58', '[caption id="attachment_1546" align="alignleft" width="203"]<img class=" wp-image-1546" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Student Experiment " alt="SJVC Student Experiment " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/mentos-and-soda-RESIZED1-226x300.jpg" width="203" height="270" /> Science doesn''t always need a labcoat, or even a lab.[/caption]\r\n\r\nImagine getting completely drenched by a 16 foot geyser of soda spouting into the air. When you look at it that way, hands on learning can be fun AND extremely beneficial. Mr. Morgan’s Introduction to Natural Science class on the <a title="SJVC Lancaster Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley" target="_blank">Lancaster Campus</a> conducted an experiment in the last module with the simple tools of Mentos candy and soda.\r\n\r\n“We were trying to test chemical reactions; we did that by trying to see the different reactions there would be when we used different types of soda-diet and regular- and different kinds of Mentos –gum and mints,” says Mr. Morgan about the experiment\r\n\r\nThis experiment demonstrates the process of nucleation, which in laymen’s terms is the process of gas being released at an extremely rapid rate when certain elements interact.\r\n\r\n“It’s something safe and really fun,” says Mr. Morgan. “It gives you the ability to see first-hand how when you combine certain elements, that together they are really powerful.”\r\n\r\nThis messy experiment was both fun and beneficial. The hands-on aspect of the experiment allows students to have a better comprehension of the potential chemical reactions within the periodic table.\r\n\r\n“I am a firm believer that an individual can learn a lot more by doing hands on projects and procedures, I’m starting to look at things more differently because of [Mr. Morgan’s] Introduction to Natural Science class,” says student Diane Langhus.\r\n\r\nDiane was very surprised by the reaction of the experiment.\r\n\r\n“I truly couldn’t imagine the idea that a candy could cause such an effect on soda. I honestly was skeptical… I did think something was going to happen, but not to that extent.”\r\n\r\nKimberly Dreiling wasn’t surprised about the reaction, but rather at how quickly it went into effect.\r\n\r\n“I knew it was going to work, I had seen videos of the experiment but never done it in person,” says Kimberly, “When I put the non-coated Mentos into the soda bottle, I was thinking that the effect wouldn’t be so quick and before I finished dropping all of them into the bottle, the two elements had such a huge reaction… I didn’t have time to step back and before I knew it, the soda blasted right into the air hitting my forehead!”\r\n\r\nFace-on learning. It’s what we do here at <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a> :)', 'Hands-on experiment generates explosive results ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'hands-on-experiment-generates-explosive-results', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:21:27', '2014-10-17 19:21:27', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1540', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12411, 8, '2013-07-16 13:30:08', '2013-07-16 20:30:08', '[caption id="attachment_1550" align="alignleft" width="180"]<img class=" wp-image-1550" style="margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; border: black 1px solid;" title="Monica Ibarra" alt="Monica Ibarra " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Monica-Ibarra-RESIZED-225x300.jpg" width="180" height="240" /> Luck would have it that when a boy began to drown it was Monica, mere days since finishing her CPR course, who was there to save him.[/caption]\r\n\r\nSaving the life of a young child was not on the schedule for Monica Ibarra on the sunny afternoon of June 17th, but it managed to hastily pencil itself in.\r\n\r\nJust 3 days after receiving her certification in CPR and First Aid, Monica saved a young boy’s life.\r\n\r\nMonica was at a favorite (but secluded) swimming area when a large family with many young children arrived. Despite Monica’s warnings about the water getting suddenly deeper and advising them to keep a close eye on their children, one of the boys slipped on a rock and began to drown.\r\n\r\nWhile other onlookers called 911 Monica went into action utilizing all of her CPR skills.\r\n\r\n“‘I know CPR’ that’s what I told her [the boy’s mother],” said Monica.\r\n\r\n“I asked her permission to perform CPR on him and she said, ‘yes’. I tried to keep her calm while I checked his pulse. I could tell he wasn’t breathing normally, and his pulse was faint so I began CPR, and I kept doing it for 30 minutes to almost an hour,” Monica explains.\r\n\r\n“I didn’t get tired though; I was just focused on getting him to breathe.”\r\n\r\nAs Monica continued to perform CPR the young boy threw up the water and began to breathe again.\r\n\r\nBeing a mother herself, Monica was honored to be able to do what she could to help this woman’s son.\r\n\r\n“My reward was that the mom still had her little boy there because of my training and paying attention in class- it all paid off! In the end he was okay and responding,” she says.\r\n\r\nThis situation put Monica’s long term goal of being an EMT into perspective. She is anxious to learn more from the instructors at SJVC <a title="San Joaquin Valley College Hanford Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/hanford" target="_blank">Hanford</a> in the next few months before she graduates.\r\n\r\n“They are very personal with you, and you don’t feel intimidated,” Monica says about the instructors at <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a>. “They always have an answer for your questions. I love that about SJVC.”\r\n\r\nWith this experience under her belt, Monica is looking forward to a future full of helping people in whatever way she can.\r\n\r\n“That was something big, and I’ve just been looking forward to learning more and more and more,” she says enthusiastically. “With everything that has come from that experience, I just want to learn more.”', 'SJVC student saves a young boy''s life ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sjvc-student-saves-a-young-boys-life', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:21:13', '2014-10-17 19:21:13', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1549', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12412, 17, '2013-07-29 11:29:19', '2013-07-29 18:29:19', '[caption id="attachment_1558" align="alignleft" width="352"]<img class=" wp-image-1558     " title="Chelsea Esquibias" alt="Chelsea Esquibias" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Screen-Shot-2013-07-29-at-11.21.23-AM.png" width="352" height="351" /> “You just need one person in your life who can make all the difference in what you do, where you go next.” -Chelsea[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs Career Services Manager for the <a title="SJVC Bakersfield employee success" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield" target="_blank">Bakersfield campus</a>, Chelsea Esquibias knew she wanted to do something to touch lives, something especially to help young Latina women to realize their dreams. A couple of years ago she found another outlet for all that energy and heart. She became a volunteer for Latina Leaders of Kern County.\r\n\r\nChelsea sits on several important LLKC committees, including Public Relations, Advocacy and Education – where her SJVC role working with students comes into serious play.\r\n\r\n“Chelsea has brought a lot of great ideas to us,” says Norma Rojas-Mora, LLKC President. “We serve the same goals.”\r\n\r\nSince 1998 Latina Leaders of Kern County has been a force of positive influence for girls and young women searching for affirmation, life information, mentors, education and career guidance and just a little help making it through occasional difficult life situations and choices. Four groups – Middle School youths (starting in Sept.), High School Sophomores/Juniors and High School Seniors – meet one Saturday each month for 4-hours to learn about the opportunities they can create for themselves with a little knowledge and preparation, a good plan and perseverance.\r\n\r\nGirls find their way to LLKC through school guidance counselors or hear about it from friends. Most all applications are accepted and once girls get involved in the program, very few drop out. Participation can be life-changing.\r\n\r\n“I now have a broader understanding of the impact young Latina girls, like myself, have on my community,” says Jacqui Medina from Independence High School.\r\n\r\nThe monthly meetings are packed with information, help and advice.\r\n\r\n“We have speaker programs and field trips that cover topics like etiquette, prep for college, scholarship opportunities and application process, money management and self-defense,” says Esquibias, while keeping the doors open for “conversations to help them with issues and give some assistance.”\r\n\r\n“We want to involve and inspire young women in our classes to become leaders; to run for public office and to sit on boards and commissions in their communities – even in high school,” says Norma Rojas-Mora. “We encourage them to find something they’re passionate about; you never know where that will lead.”\r\n\r\nEducation is a strong component of LLKC’s mentoring, as it is one of the most important investments their program participants can make in a successful future.\r\n\r\nCurrently there are about 120 students in the youth program and 20 in the adult program. Latina Leaders of Kern County has long passed the 500-mark of young women who have completed the program. And, if LLKC success is measured by the success of their program attendees, they can take bows all around, as all twenty-three recent graduates are headed off to college in the fall. “We have girls going to UCLA, USC – and one to Notre Dame,” says Esquibias.\r\n\r\nThere are cultural obstacles to overcome that makes this accomplishment so significant.\r\n\r\n“Many Hispanic parents are worried for us to go away to college; it’s difficult for them to let go,” says Chelsea. “But as they drop the girls off at classes, they get to know us and we help them to understand how important education is for them,” she says.\r\n\r\nEach year a Certificate of Completion ceremony and dinner is held for those young women about to head out into the world of adulthood. Each graduate receives a Certificate of Completion and Congressional Recognition.  There were over 150 business sponsors, and students’ families and friends in attendance at this year’s graduation ceremony. Chelsea Esquibias was honored to speak to those in attendance about the importance of the LLKC program and the role of education in the lives of those about to graduate. Chelsea remembered the person in her life to inspire her toward success.\r\n\r\n“You just need one person in your life who can make all the difference in what you do, where you go next.”\r\n\r\nSJVC is proud that Chelsea is making sure that she is that ‘one person’ for so many others!', 'Bakersfield campus staffer helps young Latinas develop leadership qualities', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'bakersfield-campus-staffer-helps-young-latinas-develop-leadership-qualities', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:20:58', '2014-10-17 19:20:58', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1557', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12413, 8, '2013-08-12 13:30:03', '2013-08-12 20:30:03', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1595" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="Pharmacy Tech Student Shannon Cambpell " alt="Pharmacy Tech Student Shannon Cambpell " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Shannon-Campbell-RESIZED-300x225.jpg" width="168" height="126" />After being abandoned by a majority of her family and taking on the role of a single, teenage mother Shannon Campbell was at a low point. Since enrolling in the <a title="SJVC Pharmacy Technology Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/pharmacy-technology" target="_blank">Pharmacy Technician </a>(PT) program at SJVC Shannon has developed an appreciation and respect for herself like never before.\r\n\r\nHaving her son Semajay at the young age of 18 brought on unfortunate turmoil within her family. With many relationships struggling Shannon was feeling defeated.\r\n\r\n“After I got pregnant everyone but my mom and sister - everyone gave up on me and that was really hard to get over,” Shannon expresses. “Being abandoned like that hurt, a lot.”\r\n\r\nHoping to escape from the depressed state she was in and to give her son a better life, she decided to look into SJVC’s <a title="SJVC Lancaster Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley" target="_blank">Lancaster</a> campus after seeing countless commercials. Looking back she couldn’t be happier with that choice.\r\n\r\n“I love it, I don’t just like it!” she states.\r\n\r\nMuch of Shannon’s excitement for her future as a Pharmacy Technician stems from being able to provide for her son.\r\n\r\n“It sounded important and I wanted to feel important,” she recalls. “My son asked me ‘Mom, what do you do?’ and it felt so good that I could answer that question and say ‘Mommy’s a Pharmacy Technician’ - and for him to understand that mommy does something.”\r\n\r\nThroughout her time here Shannon has learned many things about herself, not least that she has every reason to be confident in herself and make no room for doubt.\r\n\r\nThis exuberance for her new found life and education is noticed and appreciated throughout campus,\r\n\r\n“Shannon is an outstanding student who is not only attentive but is so very helpful to others,” PT instructor Bunnie Cervantes shares. “She has overcome so many obstacles in her young life and I admire her enthusiasm as well as her willingness to learn and be a great example for her fellow students.”\r\n\r\nWhile Shannon looks forward to owning her very own home and giving her son space to be a kid, she always focuses on keeping a healthy attitude.\r\n\r\nFrom the personalized instruction to the one-on-one assistance that is available here at SJVC, Shannon is truly grateful for every member of her “Pharmacy Family”, as she likes to call them.\r\n\r\n“I really feel like SJVC changed my life,” Shannon says. “I’m changing as a person. I’m getting skills not just for my career, but for my life.”', 'A Wonderful New Lease on Life ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-wonderful-new-lease-on-life', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley', '2014-10-17 12:20:40', '2014-10-17 19:20:40', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1594', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12414, 8, '2013-08-15 12:51:52', '2013-08-15 19:51:52', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1603" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Alumni David Castain " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/David-Castain-RESIZED-300x300.jpg" alt="SJVC Alumni David Castain " width="240" height="240" />From owning his own business to attending one of the highest ranked universities in the nation, Rancho Cucamonga alumni David Castain has made several significant leaps and bounds since graduating from the <a title="Business Administration Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration" target="_blank">Business Administration </a>program here at SJVC.\r\n\r\nDavid attended and recently graduated from Howard University, where he majored in Speech and Applied Methods and minored in Sociology.\r\n\r\nWhile attending Howard, David began hosting and promoting extravagant events in the Washington D.C. area. Coordinating events for big names like Lil’ Wayne, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neil, Chris Brown, B.O.B-just to name a few- David molded himself into one of the most well-known promoters.\r\n\r\nToday David attends graduate school at Georgetown University where he studies Public Relations and Corporate Communications. As he continues to further his education, David also manages his own consulting business, David Castain and Associates.\r\n\r\nDavid’s business focuses on solving issues faced by other businesses through the utilization of various marketing strategies. Big name brands David has assisted include Grey Goose Vodka, and as of recent, Warren Buffet’s Cort Furniture.\r\n\r\nDavid constantly finds himself referring back to the things he learned here at SJVC.\r\n\r\n“SJVC gave me the ground work for everything that I do,” he says.\r\n\r\nWith no initial intention of going to school David came to SJVC simply because it was the post high school avenue that many of his friends were taking. With the grace and support of <a title="SJVC Rancho Cucamonga Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cucamonga" target="_blank">Rancho Cucamonga’s </a>Campus Director Sherill Hein, David was encouraged to achieve much more than ever imagined.\r\n\r\n“School was a second life for me,” David states.\r\n\r\nToday David is focused on the expansion of his business, and is confident that he has the potential to become the greatest in his market.\r\n\r\n“There’s very little that I don’t know how to do and what I don’t know how to do I will search up on it,” he says.\r\n\r\nDavid expresses that his tenacity, fortitude, and passion for marketing was instilled in him through the countless days spent with his mother at craft fairs.\r\n\r\nHis undeniably strong will ensures that the future of David Castain and Associates will be very bright.\r\n\r\n“Pay attention in class, build relationships with your professors, go to every event and network on campus, don’t just stop after SJVC, continue to go ahead, SJVC to me is a great stepping stone,” David says offering advice to current and future SJVC students.\r\n\r\nWe at <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC </a>are proud of all of David’s accomplishments and are looking forward to all of the wonderful achievements that lie ahead of him.', 'Always a Work In Progress ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'always-a-work-in-progress', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration', '2014-10-17 12:20:24', '2014-10-17 19:20:24', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1602', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12415, 8, '2013-08-27 14:25:00', '2013-08-27 21:25:00', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1614" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; border: black 1px solid;" title="SJVC Student Cindy Burgara " alt="SJVC Student Cindy Burgara " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Cindy-Burgara-RESIZED-225x300.jpg" width="180" height="240" /><a title="Emergency Services and Safety Management Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/emergency-services-and-safety-management" target="_blank">Emergency Services and Safety Management </a>(ESSM) student Cindy Burgara’s time at SJVC has exceeded all of her greatest expectations. Saving the life of a young child with the application of her training was a surreal moment of clarity that brought all of Cindy’s hard work full circle.\r\n\r\nCindy came to SJVC hoping to join the <a title="Criminal Justice Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/criminal-justice-corrections" target="_blank">Criminal Justice</a> Program, but because she was not old enough she enrolled into the Emergency Services and Safety Management program instead.\r\n\r\nAt first, she was not thrilled with how things were going, but as she looks back on her journey here at SJVC with only two months until graduation, she is able to see that it was the best outcome possible.\r\n\r\n“The [Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)] academy has opened the door to so many different opportunities,” Cindy says.\r\n\r\nThe EMT academy prepares students for a future career in responding to emergencies by working as an EMT in an ambulance, a firefighter, or a police officer.\r\n\r\nShe is excited for what she will accomplish following graduation. Her hope is to become a K9 Handler. Cindy recalls a time when she was younger and her brothers affiliation with drugs resulted in a K9 unit searching their home. Even at such a young age Cindy could recognize the dedication it took to train the dogs.\r\n\r\n“It’s amazing that a dog can figure that out,” she recalls thinking of how the dogs were able to locate certain substances within the house with such ease.\r\n\r\nHer training has also prepared her to take life saving measures when swift action becomes necessary, a reality Cindy became very familiar recently.\r\n\r\nWhile at a recent BBQ with friends Cindy saved a baby that was choking on a piece of fried chicken.\r\n\r\n“Everyone was laughing and having a good time and I looked over and she was turning purple and I was just in shock and I started doing what they taught me. I was scared and it just came naturally,” she says recalling the intensity of the experience.\r\n\r\nBecause of her EMT training Cindy knew exactly how to take control of the situation. She quickly placed the baby over her forearm and gave her five sturdy pats to the back which dislodged the chicken and allowed the baby to breathe again.\r\n\r\nThat situation, although terrifying, has motivated Cindy to pay more attention because what she is learning can be applicable on any regular day.\r\n\r\nWith her fair share of economic issues and family struggles Cindy knows what it takes to persevere through hardships. In January Cindy had to temporarily withdraw from the program due to personal circumstances. Rather than giving up on her education Cindy returned to <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC </a>later on when things at home had improved.\r\n\r\nCindy is grateful for all of the support and advice from instructors like Ms. Cahill, a Criminal Justice and ESSM instructor in <a title="SJVC Bakersfield Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield" target="_blank">Bakersfield </a>. Her encouragement has taught her that she holds the key to her future.\r\n\r\n“They [the instructors] have always been on my side and telling me that if I don’t continue to work hard I will not be the person I want to be, no matter what happens,” Cindy says.\r\n\r\nCindy’s perseverance to overcome any challenge she faces is very admirable and it ensures that the future she is creating for herself will be full of success.', 'SJVC Student to the Rescue ', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sjvc-student-to-the-rescue', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/criminal-justice-corrections', '2014-10-17 12:19:56', '2014-10-17 19:19:56', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1613', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12416, 8, '2013-09-04 14:00:00', '2013-09-04 21:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1618" align="alignleft" width="179"]<img class=" wp-image-1618" style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="Meghan Chinoski " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Meghan-Chinoski-RESIZED-224x300.jpg" alt="Meghan Chinoski " width="179" height="240" /> Meghan knew quite early the career she wanted, after one of her son''s broke his femur.[/caption]\r\n\r\nWith a total of six children all under the age of six residing beneath one roof, bumps and bruises are bound to happen.<a title="Medical Assisting Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant" target="_blank"> Clinical Administrative Medical Assisting</a> (CAMA) student Meghan Chinoski found this to be true when her 3 year old son broke his femur in the midst of harmless horseplay and had to be air lifted to the Children’s Hospital.\r\n\r\nMeghan’s future at SJVC was set in stone in Meghan’s mind from before day one.\r\n\r\n“I originally was going to move to Bakersfield but in the end we had to go to Antelope Valley instead. I was interested in the medical field,” Meghan reveals. “I saw they had an SJVC in <a title="SJVC Antelope Valley Campus" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley" target="_blank">Lancaster</a>, and I knew I wanted to go there.”\r\n\r\nHaving attended other secondary schools previously Meghan confesses that SJVC has no doubt been the perfect fit for her.\r\n\r\n“It’s been a really good experience, I’ve gone to community college before,” she says. “With SJVC it has been more personal with my relationships with teachers… Here the teachers know your name and you’re an individual.”\r\n\r\nOne day while Meghan was in her science class she received an unexpected phone call from her husband.\r\n\r\n“He sounded really shaken up,” Meghan says of her husband when he called to let her know about the accident. “He [their son] has older siblings and his sister jumped off the bed and landed on his leg and the way he was positioned is what broke it.”\r\n\r\nMeghan went through the initial panic that any mother would experience, but once she reflected on the situation she was able to apply what she had been trained to do in emergencies to this personal circumstance.\r\n\r\n“When I first left I was freaking out and it was very traumatic,” Meghan explains. “Then I thought about what it would be like in the same situation if I was working and that would be to remain calm no matter the severity of it.”\r\n\r\nFollowing her son’s visit to the Children’s Hospital Meghan continued to apply her training when her son’s dressings had to be fixed.\r\n\r\nWhile Meghan strongly debated on whether or not to take a break from school to care for her son she decided against it.\r\n\r\n“I thought about that [taking time off] and in the long run it’s just another bump in the road, but if you stop once, you’ll keep stopping along the way,” says Meghan.\r\n\r\nAlong with support from her “halo deserving” husband, the dedication of the faculty at<a title="San Joaquin Valley College" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank"> SJVC</a> Lancaster does not go unnoticed by Meghan.\r\n\r\n“I see the dedication the teachers have for the students, especially when they find different ways and tools to teach them, to help the students better understand,” she says.\r\n\r\nThe exemplary education provided by SJVC along with Meghan’s dedication guarantee that she will be ready to tackle any medical emergency both professionally and personally.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;', 'No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'no-more-monkeys-jumping-on-the-bed', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant', '2014-10-02 14:00:53', '2014-10-02 21:00:53', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1617', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12417, 8, '2013-09-10 14:00:00', '2013-09-10 21:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1621" align="alignleft" width="240"]<img class=" wp-image-1621" style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="Josalynn Delorenzo " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Josalynn-Delorenzo-RESIZED-300x300.jpg" alt="Josalynn Delorenzo " width="240" height="240" /> Josalynn had originally worked as a veterinary assistant, which inspired her to gain the medical knowledge to work with humans, not just horses.[/caption]\r\n\r\nSince the day she stepped foot onto Lancaster’s campus<a title="Medical Assisting Program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant" target="_blank"> Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting </a>(CAMA) student Josalynn Delorenzo began setting goals for herself. With a map of her future and her family encouraging her to graduate she works toward accomplishing the long list of goals she has set for herself.\r\n\r\nJosalynn has had a passion for horses from the very young age of two. Her love for horses continued to manifest throughout her life and 4 years ago she began barrel racing.\r\n\r\nJosalynn previously worked for a Veterinarian where she learned a lot about how animals functioned. Through her time there she came to the conclusion that she could easily relate what she knew about animals to humans because of the many similarities, triggering her interest in the medical field.\r\n\r\n“When I first saw the campus I knew I was home,” she says.\r\n\r\nNot long after she started attending classes Josalynn joined the <a title="SJVC Antelope Valley Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley" target="_blank">Lancaster</a> ASB. She has lent her creativity to ASB by suggesting new ways to connect with other students and members of the community. Some of her ideas include a car wash and 5K race.\r\n\r\nJosalynn’s list of achievements is not a short one. Along with her involvement in ASB she has received perfect attendance four times, landed a spot on the Dean’s List a total of five times, and been a Federal Work Study Student.\r\n\r\n“It was a good experience,” Josalynn says of her work study. “I feel truly blessed and appreciative to have that experience.”\r\n\r\nWith so much on her plate Josalynn realized that she could not give her horse the necessary amount of attention while staying on top of all of her school work. This realization lead Joaslynn to leave her horse in the care of her horse trainer, Angela.\r\n\r\n“I love her [Angela] to no end; she’s like a mother to me. If I hadn’t have known her I don’t know where I would be,” Josalynn says.\r\n\r\nAngela’s generosity has allowed Josalynn to focus on her education in order to check off the list of many goals she has set for herself. After completing the CAMA program at <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC </a>Josalynn plans to study phlebotomy and following that she hopes to become an x-ray technician.\r\n\r\nJosalynn’s enthusiasm for SJVC and improvement is nothing short of contagious.\r\n\r\nAlong with the constant support from her mother, encouragement from her father who lives out of state, and inspiration from her grandfather who supported the medical sciences Josalynn’s motivation to excel in everything she does stems from 5 words that she carries with her wherever she goes: Faith, hope, believe, dream, and love. She explains,\r\n\r\n“The only way to get anywhere is to BELIEVE you can do it; you’re never too old to have a new DREAM; it’s important to LOVE what you’re doing; you have to have HOPE to get there; and always have FAITH through it all!”', 'The Horse Whisperer', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'the-horse-whisperer', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley', '2014-10-02 14:00:37', '2014-10-02 21:00:37', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1620', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12418, 17, '2013-08-30 14:00:00', '2013-08-30 21:00:00', '<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1629" style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="SJVC Physician''s Assistant Program Grant Birthday Wish" alt="SJVC Physician''s Assistant Program Grant Birthday Wish" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Birthday-Wish-PA-Visalia-RESIZED.jpg" width="167" height="227" />When Visalia <a title="Physician''s Assistant Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/physician-assistant" target="_blank">Physician Assistant</a> student Frances Robinson saw an ABC news story about Emma Ritter, whose only wish was to get 100 birthday cards sent to her Valley Children’s Hospital room for her 7th birthday, she knew she had to help make that happen.\r\n\r\n“It would be a small gesture, but one that would help to make her wish a reality,” says Frances.\r\n\r\nThen Frances took another step. She bought enough cards for her entire PA class of 22 students to sign…and things took off! Word got around that Frances was going to hand-carry the birthday cards and birthday balloons to Emma at the Fresno hospital where she was being treated for cystic fibrosis.\r\n\r\n“Classmates came to me with donations and, before I knew it, we had enough money for balloons, two small gifts and a Toys R Us gift card!” A few PA students also volunteered to help deliver the bounty and well-wishes from their class.\r\n\r\nThe <a title="SJVC Visalia Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia" target="_blank">Visalia</a> PA students are particularly interested in helping someone like Emma because cystic fibrosis is something they will undoubtedly treat throughout their health care careers.\r\n\r\nCystic fibrosis is an inherited and chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. A defective gene causes the body to produce mucus that clogs the lungs and can lead to life-threatening infections, while it also obstructs the pancreas, which causes difficulty in food absorption.\r\n\r\nEmma’s parents, Lisa and Matt, had set up a Facebook page about Emma’s birthday wish and that, combined with the news program about their young daughter’s wish, threw them all into the media spotlight. As grateful as they were for the public’s interest in their little girl’s health struggles and upcoming birthday, they were also a little overwhelmed.\r\n\r\nFrances called the hospital to ask permission to drop off the cards and balloons at hospital reception, but once a nurse heard what SJVC students had done, Frances’s call was transferred to Emma’s mom, Lisa.\r\n\r\n“We were honored that Lisa invited us to meet with Emma when we came to the hospital,” says Frances.\r\n\r\nOn Emma’s birthday, SJVC’s PA students arrived at the hospital to find the front desk turning away groups of people, but our students were taken to a play area where Emma, dressed as a princess, was playing miniature golf with her family.\r\n\r\n“She was all smiles,” says Frances, “and her parents were so thankful to us for doing this for Emma.” Though energetic and excited to open her gifts, Emma was clearly a patient.\r\n\r\n“I didn’t know what state of health she would be in,” says PA student Shawn Luna. “She was playing outside in the hospital courtyard while hooked to an IV pole.”\r\n\r\n“I am proud that our class was able to be a part of Emma’s special day,” says Frances. “As PA students, we’re learning all there is to know about disease, but we cannot learn about how they affect real lives and families until we experience moments like meeting Emma.”\r\n\r\nPA students returned with the family to Emma’s room, which was alive with colorful birthday cards from all over the world. <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a> students’ cards seemed to fit right in with the enthusiastic well-wishes from others who also heard a little girl’s voice asking for just a bit of extra love and attention for a special day happening during a difficult time.\r\n\r\n“It was heart-warming to see a happy, lovely young girl overwhelmed with joy seeing people (strangers) visit and care about her,” says Linda Hudson, one of the PA students visiting Emma.\r\n\r\n"We are so very proud of the class of 2014''s compassion for others and service to the community,” says Les Howard, PA Program Director. “That has to come from the heart; it’s not something they learn in a book."\r\n\r\n“I was grateful to have a small part in celebrating her birthday,” says Shawn. “And, I hope she got her wish of 100 birthday cards. I don’t think she would mind if she hadn’t,” he says. “Her lively spirit, her optimistic family and joyous presence left me thankful and hopeful.”\r\n\r\nAt last count, Emma received over 10,000 cards wishing her the very best birthday ever.', 'PA Students help grant a special Birthday Wish', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'pa-students-help-grant-a-special-birthday-wish-2', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/visalia', '2014-10-17 12:18:45', '2014-10-17 19:18:45', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/pa-students-help-grant-a-special-birthday-wish-2', 0, 'post', '', 0);
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(12419, 17, '2013-08-29 13:30:00', '2013-08-29 20:30:00', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1633" style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="SJVC Magnificent Seven" alt="SJVC Magnificent Seven" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/David-Huezo-Magnificen-Seven-RESIZED.jpg" width="196" height="263" />David Huezo didn’t set out to be a recruiter for SJVC when he enrolled in the <a title="Medical Assisting Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant" target="_blank">Medical Assisting </a>program at the Temecula campus. But six of his closest friends from childhood and high school watched his growing success at SJVC and, one at a time, checked it out for themselves.\n\n“At first nobody paid attention that I was going to college,” says David. “But then they noticed how easy my hours were and that I could go and still hang out. They started thinking, ‘If he could be successful, why can’t we?’ and pretty much jumped in,” says David.\n\nDavid, who had just graduated from Murrieta Valley High School, actually enrolled before the new Temecula campus was even open.\n\n“I didn’t even finish my summer break before I enrolled after touring an empty building,” says David, who must have been pretty confident in the MA program to wait 2-months for construction completion.\n\nDavid’s friend, Isaias Anaya was the next friend to discover what SJVC Temecula had to offer. It was the <a title="Business Administration Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration" target="_blank">Business Administration</a> program that got his attention right away. Since he had taken accounting, marketing and other business classes in high school, he felt it was a natural for him.\n\n“I started a business (class project) in high school and moved from the accounting field to manager, CEO then president,” says Isaias. His was a nice move up the business model ladder and good preparation for the BA program and future employment positions.\n\nGood friend Alex Stoenesco was third at bat. The MA program was a good fit for him, too, and he kept the friends-for-college momentum going.\n\nAlong the way both David and Isaias made sure their friends knew why they chose SJVC, a private Junior college, over other options, such as community colleges.\n\nDavid was convinced that “all of the hands-on training that teaches you more than one way of doing things” and the time-savings of “getting all the classes you need” and having SJVC “set your schedule for you” made all the difference.\n\n“We offer support on an individual basis and hope that no student is ever lost in the crowd,” says Robyn Whiles, Temecula Campus Director. “I think this shines through when longtime friends are willing to suggest to people they care about that attending SJVC is a good experience.”\n\nIsaias felt that the biggest private school pay-off was definitely in the accelerated training that earned graduates a degree in a shorter time.\n\n“Look, I know I pay loans for a couple of years, but the faster you get your degree, the sooner you’ll pay them off,” says Isaias. “The biggest advantage is that you’re a step ahead of everybody else.”\n\nBy the time both David and Isaias completed their programs at SJVC, five long-term friends were well into their programs, too.\n\nJoey Abella, <a title="Medical Office Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office" target="_blank">Medical Office Administration</a> student, is the latest of the group to enroll. Joey had never planned to go to college, but his childhood friends David, Isaias and Alex made it hard to resist giving it a try. Joey’s brother, Aron Edall, and cousin, Geoffrey Catbagan, had their own stories of success at SJVC that helped to convince him.\n\nIf you’ve lost count, it’s up to six friends and family members who shared major life events for a long time and decided to make a college degree the latest of their group accomplishments.\n\nComing in at number seven, Steven Avalos started the<a title="Pharmacy Technology Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/pharmacy-technology" target="_blank"> Pharmacy Technology</a> program at the same time Joey started his MOA program.\n\n“This thread of family and friends attending our campus is such a reflection of our culture and goals. We want to spread the word by referral what SJVC Temecula has to offer,” says Robyn Whiles.\n\nThese <i>Magnificent Seven </i>spent a lifetime in the same neighborhood, same schools and same group of friends – sometimes in the same family. But they know their educational success is now starting to reach beyond the intimacy of their immediate group of guy-friends.\n\nDavid’s cousin, Janet Rivera, has enrolled in the MA program and Isaias has sisters in middle school he is already working on. Isaias’ cousin, Arturo de Paz, took his advice about the benefits of an education at <a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a> and will graduate from Temecula’s Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting program in October.\n\nAnd, the original seven have dreams beyond their shared success at SJVC.\n\n“As the first to go to college in my family I want to stay where I am for a few years, then go on to become a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner,” says David Huezo.\n\nNo doubt David’s dreams will light a fire in the competitive spirit of the guy-group and find others among them stretching their ambitions, as well.\n\n“SJVC <a title="SJVC Temecula Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula" target="_blank">Temecula</a> is changing the community landscape, offering training to neighbors and friends here in the community they live in,” says Whiles.\n\nWhen good advice comes from a trusted friend, it is contagious.', 'SJVC’s own Magnificent Seven', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sjvcs-own-magnificent-seven-2', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office', '2014-09-25 17:10:28', '2014-09-26 00:10:28', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvcs-own-magnificent-seven-2', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12420, 17, '2013-09-03 10:00:00', '2013-09-03 17:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1656" align="alignleft" width="280"]<img class=" wp-image-1656 " style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="SJVC Rancho Cordova PFT Carnival " alt="SJVC Rancho Cordova PFT Carnival " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/R-COR-Carnival-Fair-RESIZED.jpg" width="280" height="210" /> The term 4 students'' ideas were...unorthodox, but far from unappreciated.[/caption]\r\n\r\nTerm 4 <a title="Respiratory  Therapy Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapy</a> students on the Rancho Cordova campus are “competitive little buggers,” says Victoria Florentine, RT instructor. That competitive spirit went over the top when they were challenged to come up with a creative way to teach the Pediatric Pulmonary Function Testing (PPFT) to Term 3 RT students.\r\n\r\nTerm 4 students wanted to do a good job of testing Term 3 students; but they really wanted to do it better and more creatively than the last Term 4 class.\r\n\r\nSo…things got a little crazy.\r\n\r\nInstead of a more traditional approach to quizzing those RT students just behind them, Term 4 students cleared the deck – or parking lot as it turned out – to create a circus-themed test extravaganza. Decorated game-of-chance booths were set up where Term 3 students could win tickets for prizes when they gave the correct answers to PPFT questions. And, the prizes were in high demand.\r\n\r\nA ticket might win students cotton candy, or some other treat. However, the longest line of students was by far waiting for the Dunk Tank. Staff and faculty got wet – and stayed wet – most of the afternoon.\r\n\r\nLet’s just say that Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Maddox and Mrs. Tweed didn’t have to worry about the summer heat.\r\n\r\nIn all the fun, some serious education was taking place for those Term 3 students, while Term 4 students, who will soon graduate, were getting to step into the shoes of their instructors.\r\n\r\n“The highest goal in education is when the student is the teacher,” offers Victoria Florentine. “It’s when the most learning takes place.”\r\n\r\nStudents from other classes on the <a title="SJVC Rancho Cordova Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova" target="_blank">Rancho Cordova</a> campus got to enjoy the fun, as well. They bought tickets to sample the food fare and try their aim at sinking a staffer.\r\n\r\nTerm 4 RT students selected the Autism Foundation to receive the money raised from the Aug. 1st PPFT event.\r\n\r\n“Instructors and I are already starting to dream big about how we can parlay this event into something even bigger,” says Florentine. “Maybe we can expand this great idea into a community event that benefits a cause even more.”\r\n\r\nTerm 4 Respiratory Therapy students should be very proud of what they have set in motion.', 'Competitive spirit drives Term 4 Respiratory Therapy students', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'competitive-spirit-drives-term-4-respiratory-therapy-students-3', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:15:56', '2014-10-17 19:15:56', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1646', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12421, 17, '2013-09-01 14:00:00', '2013-09-01 21:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1659" align="alignleft" width="280"]<img class=" wp-image-1659" style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="SJVC Temecula Blood Drive" alt="SJVC Temecula Blood Drive" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Tem-Blood-Drive-RESIZED.jpg" width="280" height="210" /> Students generously donated 71 pints of blood.[/caption]\r\n\r\nMore than 40-students from all programs offered on the <a title="SJVC Temcula Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula" target="_blank">Temecula </a>campus lined up to make their greatest gift – their life-blood – to people they would never meet.\r\n\r\nAug. 13th was the third time campus HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) students partnered with Lifestream, who organizes community blood drives, to help those in need in Riverside County.\r\n\r\nThis Biannual Blood Drive, held on campus, is made possible through the efforts of HOSA members and student, staff and faculty volunteers.\r\n\r\n“We collected 71 pints of blood this year,” says John Hall, Coordinator of Student Activities.\r\n\r\n“Although it was 8 pints short of the campus’s previous record, we were able to register 50 new donors for our area,” says Hall.\r\nThe new names will be added to Lifestream’s data base of blood donors and will all be invited to participate again, during the next blood drive.\r\n\r\nTemecula campus volunteers are always eager to support activities that have such a personal and profound impact on their community.', 'The greatest gift', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'the-greatest-gift-2', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:18:13', '2014-10-17 19:18:13', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1649', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12422, 17, '2013-09-02 14:00:00', '2013-09-02 21:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1661" align="alignleft" width="280"]<img class=" wp-image-1661" style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="SJVC Temecula Softball Game" alt="SJVC Temecula Softball Game" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Temecula-Softball-RESIZED.jpg" width="280" height="209" /> Faculty versus students. Every student''s dream.[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt could have been Aliens vs. Predators on the softball field, as <a title="SJVC Temecula Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula" target="_blank">Temecula</a> campus students went at it with staff and faculty. If the first biannual softball game held Aug. 9th at Birdsall Sports Park is any indication, future events are going to be down and dirty.\r\n\r\n<a title="Medical Assisting Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant" target="_blank">Medical Assisting</a> instructor, Rhonda Brown got the ball rolling for a staff/faculty vs. students baseball game when she posed the idea to John Hall, Coordinator of Student Activities on campus. After Mr. Hall introduced the idea in a faculty meeting and talked with ASB, everyone thought it would be a good way to have some positive interaction between the two groups.\r\n\r\nSign-up sheets were posted and each team had easily 15 players show up with about 30 supporters in the stands.\r\n\r\nIt was time to throw down.\r\n\r\nIt started slow for staff/faculty, and by the third inning students were on top 6-0 with almost all student team batters getting on base. It looked like a lock for them when <a title="Respiratory Therapy Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapy</a> student, Michael Burkhard hit the only homer of the day.\r\n\r\nThen the earth tilted – or the staff and faculty team woke up to the likelihood of an embarrassing loss that they would have to live down for many long classes to come.\r\n\r\nAHCM instructor, Mrs. Schiffner stepped up to the plate, sized things up and cracked a double. Inspired by the new momentum, her team caught fire. Now it was a game.\r\n\r\nThe heat was contagious as both teams dug in to win it. Then it was the final inning and the last play of the game. Staff and faculty gave it all they got to just squeak past students with a 15-14 lead. But now, students were last at bat and had bases loaded with two outs. It could happen.\r\n\r\nThe batter connected with RT instructor, Shannon Cocilova’s over-the-plate pitch, for a low grounder headed straight to first base. Sheeeee’s out!\r\n\r\nThe crowd of friends and family in the stands went wild…or sighed in disappointment, depending on whose side they were on. Staff and faculty could return to classes and desks without shame.\r\n\r\nBack on campus student buzz was loud and demanding a rematch…immediately. It looks as though they will have to hold themselves in check, as the next match is tentatively planned for six months down the road.\r\n\r\n“We’re out there for the fun of it, to try to get people out there for a good time,” says John Hall. “In the future we might use this championship game to benefit some charity event.” Big plans for the next game include team names and t-shirts.\r\n\r\nBut staff/faculty and student team members won’t have to wait long for a little recognition. Some members of both teams will receive awards for Best Batter, Best Fielder, Most Supportive and Most Valuable Player to be announced at the Sept. 24th Awards Ceremony.', 'And…..you’re out!', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'and-youre-out', '', '', '2014-10-17 12:17:07', '2014-10-17 19:17:07', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1651', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12423, 17, '2013-09-18 14:00:00', '2013-09-18 21:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1625" align="alignleft" width="231"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1625" style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="Cristal Rubio" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Cristal-Rubio-RESIZED.jpg" alt="Cristal Rubio" width="231" height="176" /> Cristal''s dream is to open her very own hair salon, which she hopes to achieve with the knowledge gained from SJVC.[/caption]\r\n\r\nCristal Rubio remembers what it felt like to watch her high school friends one at a time get their driver’s licenses and score summer jobs, while she pretended she didn’t need them. “I told them my parents said I didn’t need to work and my mom always drops me off wherever I need to go, because I didn’t want them to know that I didn’t have a green card,” says Cristal.\r\n\r\nShe wasn’t sure what it all meant. But, Cristal remembers her parents taking her back and forth between Mexico and the States until, with a temporary visa, they enrolled her in second grade. She didn’t feel any different from all the other kids in school.\r\n\r\nBut Cristal didn’t realize the full impact of what it meant to be a non-resident until she applied for college scholarships, only to find out her status disqualified her not only scholarships, but from receiving federal grants and loans, as well. “It was a phase in my life when I was really down and didn’t think I could do anything,” says Cristal. “I was an illegal alien.”\r\n\r\nCristal felt at a dead end. “I couldn’t get a scholarship, couldn’t get a degree…it was pointless for me to go to college,” she says. Scarier yet, “People were asking me, ‘How are you here?’ It is a big deal to have a green card and be legal here.”\r\n\r\nWhen Cristal was nineteen she married Javier, and when daughter, Miranda, was born she decided it was time to work toward U.S. legal residency. Cristal got the news when Javier, who was in the military, was stationed in Iraq. “On my 21st birthday they (Immigration Dept.) gave me temporary residency, and after they verified all my information and we had our interviews they gave me final approval,” she says. Cristal felt the world open up to her.\r\n\r\nOver the next several years Cristal’s dream of owning her own hair and nail salon was taking root. She and husband Javier added Paulina to their family, and while Cristal completed beauty college, son Javier was born. After a short 6-month break Cristal jumped right into<a title="San Joaquin Valley College " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank"> SJVC</a>’s <a title="Business Administration Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration" target="_blank">Business Administration</a> program in <a title="SJVC Victor Valley Campus " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/victor-valley" target="_blank">Hesperia.</a> Her dream was so close now.\r\n\r\nThe first seven months of her BA program went well and Cristal usually made the Dean’s list. Now within 3-weeks of completing her program she is fighting to keep her momentum. “I hardly get to see my husband, I missed seeing my son’s first steps and all the other little things in our family time,” says Cristal. But she knew the BA program was giving her something important – and just in time for her dream coming to life.\r\n\r\nIn June Cristal opened Get Glammed, Hair and Nail Salon and credits instructors Mr. Patch and Mrs. Bastianon with giving her what she needed to make that happen. Her Business Capstone class was all about starting your own business and it filled in all the gaps for a successful start-up. “It teaches you how to write a Business Plan, Business Proposal, write a letter to the bank for a line of credit, Mission Statement, develop core values and how to promote products,” says Cristal. It even taught her how to hire employees, which she has put to good use in finding her new hair stylist and nail technician. “My teachers helped me a lot and it was something new every day,” she says.\r\n\r\nSuccess is starting to feel pretty good to Cristal, but she doesn’t forget how long it took her to believe it could happen. Her message to undocumented residents is personal and heartfelt: “Don’t give up if you’re a minority and your immigration status isn’t legal,” she says. “And, don’t give up on education; as soon as you have legal status, enroll in college.”', 'Immigration status threatened success', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'immigration-status-threatened-success-2', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:59:54', '2014-10-02 20:59:54', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/immigration-status-threatened-success-2', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12424, 17, '2013-09-24 14:00:00', '2013-09-24 21:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1665" align="alignleft" width="280"]<img class=" wp-image-1665" style="border: 1px solid black; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="Ola Petty" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Ola-petty-RESIZED.jpg" alt="Ola Petty" width="280" height="177" /> One degree wasn''t quite enough for such an ambitious, hard-worker as Ola, which is why she returned to SJVC for further schooling.[/caption]\r\n\r\nOnline student, Ola Petty, is on fire with her career education. It wasn’t enough for her that she enrolled in and completed the <a title="Medical Assisting Program " href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant" target="_blank">Clinical Medical Assisting</a> certificate program, then extended her commitment in the program to earn her A.S. degree. She decided to re-up and enrolled in the<a title="Medical Office Administration Program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office" target="_blank"> Medical Office Administration</a> certificate program, just to top it off.\r\n\r\n“I want to do anything at the hospital they want me to – front, back, side, left, right,” says Ola Petty. “Whatever they need me to do, I can do.”\r\n\r\nBut, getting to that point wasn’t going to be easy.\r\n\r\nEven with the support of fiancé, Freddie, Ola was pretty stretched, caring for 3-year old Fredrina, 9-year old William and 12-year old Chassity. William, who suffers from severe asthma and ADHD, had frequent and unpredictable hospital stays that tossed all schedules aside. His asthma often flashed into bronchitis, then pneumonia, before the episode could be managed.\r\n\r\n“I took my computer with me to the hospital and people would say, ‘You are so eager to learn,’” says Ola.\r\n\r\nBut her studies were suffering and she was trying everything to stabilize her home life.\r\n\r\n“We had to move from the apartment we were in because of the paint and carpet,” says Ola. Even the pollen outside was a constant threat to William and kept her on high alert.\r\n\r\nThings got to a point where she thought she just couldn’t continue with school. “There was too much on me and I was about to give up,” says Ola.\r\n\r\nTekla Patton, Ola’s student advisor, had worked closely with Ola to get her through difficult parts of her classes and they had become especially close. Now Tekla stepped in and got Ola the help she needed to come up with a new plan. “They gave me a few days to get it together,” says Ola. “I decided I came too far in school to let it go, so I came back and gave 100% of myself.”\r\n\r\nThe online campus was glad to have her back. “They made me feel real good about myself.”\r\n\r\n“Ola has been working really hard the last two years to complete her programs,” says Tekla. “And, now she’s coming back for more education.” It looks like their friendship will have some more time to grow.\r\n\r\nNow Ola is back in the swing of going to school – which is a little confusing to her 3-year old. “Mom, I didn’t know you could go to school like that, over and over and over,” Fredrina tells her. Ola just laughs at that, but everyone in her household knows that when Ola is at her computer, it is serious study time and she is not to be disturbed.\r\n\r\nThe kids also know that Ola is doing all this for them. “I want a better living for my kids and I want to have something in my life,” says Ola. “And, I want my kids to know that nothing in life is free. You have to work for what you get,” she says.\r\n\r\nOla feels that her employment prospects, with both the CMA and MOA programs finished, are very good. “I got documents behind my name,” she says. “I think I’ll choose a good job in a place where I’m needed.”\r\n\r\nThis has been a long and sometimes difficult educational process for Ola, but she knows why she made it to this point. “The Lord plays a very important part in this, and if it wasn’t for Him I probably wouldn’t be here.”', 'Student is a triple threat to other job applicants', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'student-is-a-triple-threat-to-other-job-applicants', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant', '2014-10-02 13:59:35', '2014-10-02 20:59:35', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1664', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12425, 17, '2013-09-30 14:00:00', '2013-09-30 21:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1674" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1674  " title="SJVC student Ashley Schwarz and her daughter" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-09-10-at-2.58.18-PM-290x290.png" alt="SJVC student Ashley Schwarz and her daughter" width="290" height="290" /> About daughter Haylee: I want her to know that anything is possible at any point in your life.” -Ashley[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor the longest time, the only voice of encouragement Ashley Schwarz heard was that one deep inside her. “You’ve got to be better,” it said. Ashley lost each of her parents before she was ready to be on her own and, without siblings, her lone inner voice was the only one pushing her forward.\r\n\r\nAshley knew she wanted a career in the medical field after, at 12-years old, she witnessed her mom succumb to kidney disease.\r\n\r\n“I don’t remember a day that she wasn’t sick,” says Ashley. “I always told her I would grow up and find a cure for kidney disease.”\r\n\r\nAshley started and stopped college a few times and just couldn’t seem to latch on. But when she found SJVC’s online <a title="Medical Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/" target="_blank">Clinical Medical Assisting</a> program, things fell into place.\r\n\r\n“You guys saved my life,” she enthuses. “This is the best thing that’s ever happened.” That doesn’t mean it was easy.\r\n\r\nAshley’s life had changed quite a bit since her previous attempts at continuing her education. She had married, eventually started a family and had all of the responsibilities of a young family trying to get ahead. She had earned her CNA right out of high school and was working full-time as a receptionist in a doctor’s office. But, she wanted more for herself and her family.\r\n\r\nAshley first tested the online water with the CMA certificate program. All was going well until her math class threatened to take her down.\r\n\r\n“Pam (Soto-Gonzalez, student support) called me almost every night and would just take control of my computer to help me work through problems,” says Ashley. “I definitely wouldn’t have been as successful as I was without how dedicated everyone was to helping students.”\r\n\r\n“Ashley is a great example of how the educational experience is what the student makes of it, and I am proud of her accomplishments,” says Pam Soto-Gonzalez.\r\n\r\nEncouraged by her certificate program success, Ashley enrolled in and completed the CMA A.S. degree program. Her husband, Kevin, and their now 2-year old daughter, Haylee, gave her the support and encouragement she needed to keep going.\r\n\r\n“When things got tough Kevin would say, ‘Suck it up, sister,’” Ashley laughs. “And, Haylee would sit with me at the computer and pretend she was doing her ‘school work’ too.”\r\n\r\nAshley graduated last February and barely paused before enrolling in an online <a title="Human Resource Administration program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/human-resource-administration/" target="_blank">Human Resources</a>, Bachelor’s degree program. Still working full-time, she is determined to do whatever it takes to have the medical career of her dreams. She has even managed to pull Kevin into her industry of choice.\r\n\r\nWhile Kevin was working at a factory she submitted his application for a Surgery Services Dept. supervisory position at their local University Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. He got the job.\r\n\r\n“Once I forced him into it, he took off,” says Ashley. “I’m very proud of him and happy that he’s doing what he loves.”\r\n\r\nThat day isn’t far off for Ashley, too, whose medical office management responsibilities will be to train others to provide front and back office medical care and support for their patients. She will have earned that position one step at a time.\r\n\r\n“One of the things I struggled most with was growing up never having people tell me I could stretch myself,” says Ashley. “All the support I had here (at <a href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online" target="_blank">SJVC Online</a>) pushed me into a place I never thought I could go.”\r\n\r\nShe is making sure that Haylee gets a different childhood message. “I want her to know that anything is possible at any point in your life.” Ashley’s example says it loud and clear.', 'A quiet voice grows strong', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-quiet-voice-grows-strong', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online', '2014-10-02 13:59:02', '2014-10-02 20:59:02', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/a-quiet-voice-grows-strong', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12426, 17, '2013-09-12 15:52:03', '2013-09-12 22:52:03', '[caption id="attachment_1679" align="alignleft" width="391"]<img class=" wp-image-1679   " title="Program Director Barry Westling" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Screen-Shot-2013-09-12-at-3.49.53-PM.png" alt="Program Director Barry Westling" width="391" height="451" /> Mr. Westling himself - sporting the bow tie![/caption]\r\n\r\nVisalia’s Respiratory Therapy Program Director, Barry Westling, has always stood out from the crowd. His iconic bow tie makes him immediately recognizable on campus – particularly by new <a title="Respiratory Therapy program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapy</a> students seeking him out.\r\n\r\n“I know it’s a somewhat different style from a different era, but it’s something I enjoy for myself,” says Mr. Westling, who owns over 40 bow ties and can quickly demonstrate the art of whipping the short length of cloth into perfect shape.\r\n\r\nRecently, Barry Westling acquired yet another fine distinction when he was accepted into the Fellowship program of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), a national organization with approximately 52,000 members.\r\n\r\nThe AARC encourages and promotes professional excellence, advances the science and practice of respiratory care, and serves as an advocate for patients and their families, the public, the profession and respiratory therapists. An AARC Fellow is a Respiratory Therapist who is recognized to have reached a level of distinction in professional practice and who has made sustained contributions on a national level. Very few AARC members are nominated and even fewer attain Fellowship status.\r\n\r\n“To be included among a list of such prestigious individuals is truly awe-inspiring,” says Mr. Westling, who was a first-time nominee.\r\n\r\n“Fellows of the AARC (FAARC) are considered to be career professionals at the ‘top of their game’ and serve as role models for respiratory therapists nationwide,” says Patrick Dunne, MEd, RRT, FAARC and Chairperson for the AARC Fellowship Selection Committee\r\n\r\nBarry Westling has many accomplishments and accolades, which made him an ideal candidate for fellowship consideration. In his professional capacity he has submitted questions for the National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams, served as Delegate to the AARC House of Delegates, represented Calif. to the national AARC organization, acted as New Terms consultant for Stedman’s Medical Dictionary for Allied Health and made major curriculum contributions to SJVC’s first A.S. degree program and Advanced Level RT program, to name just a few.\r\n\r\nInductions into the FAARC will take place at the annual AARC Awards Ceremony on Nov. 16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.\r\n\r\n“Recognition as a Fellow is wonderful and humbling, but my years of service to students, patients, the college, and my profession are my true reward,” says Westling, who celebrates his 30<sup>th</sup> year with SJVC this month.\r\n\r\nMr. Westling hopes his professional accomplishments might guide students toward their own service to their professional community.\r\n\r\n“There is a great need in the Central Valley to instill in students the importance of participation in professional societies through membership, meeting attendance and professional event participation,” says Westling. “Top leaders in our field are just regular people who step up to volunteer.”\r\n\r\nBarry Westling has been a clear leader in his field and a true inspiration to his students. His entire 2012 RT graduating class demonstrated their respect and admiration for him by donning bow ties for their graduation ceremony. Theirs was a special tribute to a humble man deserving of many, it seems.', 'Respiratory Therapy Program Director earns professional distinction', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'rt-program-director-earns-professional-distinction', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/', '2014-10-02 14:00:14', '2014-10-02 21:00:14', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1678', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12427, 17, '2013-09-25 11:00:00', '2013-09-25 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1700" align="alignleft" width="290"]<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Screen-Shot-2013-09-25-at-10.35.58-AM.png"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1700" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Screen-Shot-2013-09-25-at-10.35.58-AM-290x290.png" alt="We might be biased, but we think our students look pretty good!" width="290" height="290" /></a> We might be biased, but we think our students look pretty good![/caption]\r\n\r\nAbout a dozen business student models used the catwalk to teach over a hundred <a title="students learn how to dress for a job interview in rancho cucamonga" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/ontario" target="_blank">Rancho Cucamonga</a> students how to dress for that all-important job interview.\r\n\r\n“We deliberately included some What not to Wear examples to show students inappropriate interview attire,” says Chris Hooton, Career Services Manager.\r\n\r\nThe 90-minute show is an annual event held this year at the North Hills Church on Aug. 1st. The panel of four judges included Brenda Medina, Business instructor, Jeannette Drake, Career Services Advisor, Diana Glance, Business instructor and Claudia Normine, G.E. instructor.\r\n\r\n<a title="business students at SJVC work on their interview skills" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-programs" target="_blank">Business students</a> who are Enactus members developed and promoted the fashion show during which Career Services conducted a presentation on proper business attire.\r\n\r\n“The fashion show was a good teaching tool for our students,” says Mr. Hooton. “We also engaged the entire audience by asking them to hold up signs 1-10 to rate appropriate outfits coming down the runway.”\r\n\r\nClothing for the fashion show came from the Career Services ‘closet’ and from donations for the event. Some of the student models brought their own clothes to wear as good examples of business attire.\r\n\r\nSome of the student models and MCs were: Kevin Santos, KR Banaag, Alice Garcia, Andrea Adams, Kenneth Perry, Elizabeth Morales, Aaron Lewis, Indi Hurtado, Jaime Estrella, Giselle Pena, Alejandra Garcia, Armando Cespedes, Kimberly Mora, Taariq Raffy and Alina Miranda.\r\n\r\n“Three students, Elizabeth Morales, Giselle Pena and Alina Hernandez-Miranda, entertained the crowd with a vocal competition, as they gave their best American Idol performances – and the models time to make wardrobe changes,” says Mr. Hooton. Elizabeth Morales won and was awarded a gift card.\r\n\r\nLike any big production, mishaps can occur. The PowerPoint show momentarily dropped power and Mr. Hooton had to “kill time by telling some bad jokes,” he laughs.\r\n\r\nStudents didn’t seem to mind and left the event with a better understanding and picture of what they might wear once they are out in the professional world.', 'Student Fashion Show entertains…and educates', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'student-fashion-show-entertainsand-educates', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/business-programs', '2014-10-02 13:59:19', '2014-10-02 20:59:19', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/student-fashion-show-entertainsand-educates', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12428, 17, '2013-10-01 14:00:00', '2013-10-01 21:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1708" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1708 " title="SJVC Online Instructor Emily Ware" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-09-25-at-10.56.06-AM-290x290.png" alt="SJVC Online Instructor Emily Ware" width="290" height="290" /> “I like to get students excited about the material I’m teaching, watch them learn something new and develop a love for learning." -Online Instructor Emily Ware[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt would seem that the faceless nature of <a title="SJVC Online classes available here" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online" target="_blank">online classes</a> would make it hard for students and instructors to connect. Where’s the eye contact, the facial and body expressions and the intimacy of sharing space? Who can feel heard from such distances, both geographic and physical?\r\n\r\nOnline General Ed instructor, Emily Ware has figured it out.\r\n\r\n“I really do get to know them better, but in a different way,” says Emily Ware. “We actually spend more one-on-one time together, so I get to learn more about them as individuals.”\r\n\r\nHer students feel the love.\r\n\r\n“Emily Ware went above and beyond to help me,” says Mississippi Online student, Kimberly Sanders. “She’s a great instructor and I’d like to tell everyone how great she is.”\r\n\r\nMrs. Ware felt the same way. “Kim was always eager to learn,” she says. “She asked a lot of questions, and I liked that about her. She was a bright spot in my day, when I’d hear from her.”\r\n\r\nEmily Ware comes from a long line of teachers. But, she was the first one in the family to go in a different career direction for several years, when she worked as a buyer in the fashion industry.\r\n\r\n“I felt like I was always meant to teach, but got off track for a few years,” says Emily. Now that she has answered the call to help others discover their highest potential, she is in full swing.\r\n\r\n“I like to get students excited about the material I’m teaching, watch them learn something new and develop a love for learning,” she says. “When they see their skill levels go up after studying and where they end up; it boosts their confidence, and it’s very rewarding.”\r\n\r\nOne of Emily’s best moments came when a student submitted a big PowerPoint project with a note that said “I don’t even care what grade I got on this because I had so much fun doing it.”\r\n\r\n“I was happy that she had fun with it and that she was happy with what she created,” says Emily.\r\n\r\nTekla Patton, Student Services, also has high praise for Emily. “She is great at contacting students by phone, e-mail and even text messages,” says Tekla. “Her courses are geared to every student’s learning styles. Emily does admit to giving her students her cell phone number – and takes all calls.\r\n\r\nNow that web cams are more popular, Emily gets to finally see some of her students.\r\n\r\n“Sometimes I didn’t even know if my student was male or female, from the name,” she says. And, now most posts come in with a student photo, so a new door has opened to communication. “Many student projects include information about their life and kids,” says Emily, who enjoys an even deeper understanding of her students’ lives.\r\n\r\nEmily comes by her gift of teaching naturally. Her mom, Robin, set an exceptional standard.\r\n\r\n“My mom is an amazing teacher and she motivated me to be the teacher I am,” says Ware. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot about how to be a teacher from her.”', 'Far away voices find support', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'far-away-voices-find-support', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:58:45', '2014-10-02 20:58:45', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/far-away-voices-find-support', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12429, 17, '2013-10-07 08:41:28', '2013-10-07 15:41:28', '[caption id="attachment_1721" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1721" title="Temecula Respiratory Therapy prepares for national competition" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-10-07-at-8.44.24-AM-290x290.png" alt="Temecula Respiratory Therapy prepares for national competition" width="290" height="290" /> A taste of victory has inspired the Pink Puffers to extend their luck by another year.[/caption]\r\n\r\nOn the heels of winning the State Sputum Bowl competition last May, <a href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula" target="_blank">Temecula</a>’s <a href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapy</a> team, the Pink Puffers, is in full prep for the National Sputum Bowl competition to be held in Anaheim Nov. 16-19.\r\n\r\n“We were fortunate to have leaders of the CA Society of Respiratory Care Society Sputum Bowl events, Michael Terry and Alan Alipoon, here from Loma Linda University Medical Center to work with our team,” says William Hall, RT Program Director. “They brought their pool of questions and taught our team some valuable strategy for the national competition,” he says.\r\n\r\nThe rules for National and State competitions are very different and these two esteemed visitors volunteered their time to help Temecula’s RT team understand the new parameters.\r\n\r\n“Michael Terry and Alan Alipoon managed the events held in San Diego this year where our team secured their victory,” says Hall.\r\n\r\n<b><i>Chery Stansbury, Alyssa Reber </i></b>and <b><i>Anthony Cocilova </i></b>comprise Temecula’s Pink Puffers under the direction of <b><i>Coach Shannon Cocilova</i></b>, who will provide intense drills between now and the competition. <b><i>Ian Peterson </i></b>will now be included in the team, since the team is allowed four contestants.\r\n\r\nThe National Sputum Bowl will host up to 44-teams representing their home states. The competition will be stiff and the knowledge and skill level very high.\r\n\r\n“We are looking forward to a very exciting competition in Anaheim,” says Hall. “Most of all we are encouraging our team to enjoy themselves in this once in a life-time experience for them as students.  They have already won a prized title as California State Sputum Bowl Champions, and we are excited that they have brought themselves, SJVC Temecula and all of SJVC to a National arena.”\r\n\r\nWatch for this year’s Sputum Bowl results.', 'Sputum Bowl team preps for National competition', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sputum-bowl-team-preps-for-national-competition', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:58:24', '2014-10-02 20:58:24', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1719', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12430, 17, '2013-10-14 15:00:00', '2013-10-14 22:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1687" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1687" title="Student Brenda Cabrera" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-09-16-at-9.25.58-AM-290x290.png" alt="Student Brenda Cabrera" width="290" height="290" /> When Brenda''s stepmother died in a car accident, Brenda found solace and purpose in her studies.[/caption]\r\n\r\nBrenda Cabrera grew up wishing she could be anywhere but home. Her parents were divorced and her father, Roger, “fought for custody many times,” says Brenda. When she was 17 her father was finally successful, and Brenda went to live with him and her stepmother, Elvia, and stepbrother, Yandell. She had the family she longed for all those years.\r\n\r\nAfter Brenda graduated from high school, she was pretty sure she wanted to join the military. But, she and Elvia had grown so close that Elvia couldn’t bear the thought of Brenda leaving home.\r\n\r\n“She was the mother-figure in my life,” says Brenda. “And she was the one who motivated me, gave me confidence,” since her dad worked long hours and was away from home so much. “She kept telling me, ‘You need a brighter future.’”\r\n\r\nAlways interested in the medical field and with Elvia’s excitement for her to explore it, Brenda found herself looking at SJVC’s <a title="Medical Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/" target="_blank">Medical Assisting</a> program in <a title="SJVC Temecula" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula/" target="_blank">Temecula</a> last September. Elvia whispered encouragement every step of the way.\r\n\r\nBefore Brenda could enroll, Elvia was killed in a car accident.\r\n\r\nGrieving and floundering without her strongest supporter, Brenda enrolled and began the MA program in October, just a month after her family’s devastating loss.\r\n\r\n“I really didn’t want to be in school and wasn’t planning on sticking around,” says Brenda. But then, two very important things happened. First, she fell in love with her medical studies.\r\n\r\n“I really connected with the hands-on activities, but thought I’d be too scared to do some of them,” says Brenda. “But, I didn’t shy away and just got in there and did the blood draws and injections.” She surprised herself and felt her fears melt away, “especially after my teacher looked at me and said, ‘That’s perfect; you’re a natural,’” says Brenda, who promptly started assisting other students.\r\n\r\nThe second thing that made it possible for Brenda to stick with her decision to get an education was meeting four new friends who, together, changed everything for her.\r\n\r\nShe found Elvia’s voice of love and support in these young women. Christian, Jenny, Eve and Adi are Brenda’s go-to when self-doubt creeps into her psyche.\r\n\r\n“I’m a very religious person and I believe she (Elvia) put them in my path so I could remember her words,” says Brenda. “I see her qualities in them and they say the things she always said.”\r\n\r\nToday, life is full for Brenda. She is feeling strong. At home she does all she can to help take care of her dad and little brother. At school she tries to touch as many lives as she can in a way that hers was touched. It doesn’t go unnoticed.\r\n\r\n“As a federal work study student tutor, she has walked many of her fellow students thought the math and English study plans with a gentle hand,” says instructor Jessica Knight. “Brenda is one of those special people who can add insight to your life or teach a lesson that you may not have understood before.”\r\n\r\nBrenda graduates in December and knows she will miss so much from her experience at <a title="medical assisting campus" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula" target="_blank">SJVC Temecula</a> – especially her four new friends.\r\n\r\n“We’ve talked about it and I know if we don’t get to see each other again, I am grateful for what they gave to me and I’ll take it with me,” says Brenda.\r\n\r\nBut Brenda will always remember the hard place she was in and how she got out.\r\n\r\n“I see people like that here and I’ll stop and ask if they want to talk,” she says. “Maybe I can help them out, if only to just have a better day. Share what’s been given to you. You know, pass it along.”', 'Medical Assisting Student Brenda on school, family and loss', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'medical-assisting-student-brenda-on-school-family-and-loss', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:55:46', '2014-10-02 20:55:46', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1685', 0, 'post', '', 0);
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(12431, 17, '2013-10-21 14:30:00', '2013-10-21 21:30:00', '[caption id="attachment_1704" align="alignleft" width="259"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1704    " title="Aviation maintenance student Michael McGee" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-09-25-at-10.39.35-AM.png" alt="Aviation maintenance student Michael McGee" width="259" height="220" /> Michael and wife, Autumn.[/caption]\r\n\r\nMichael McGee and his family were in a tough place. A carpenter and firefighter for most of his adult life, Mike had been out of work for much of the last two years. He knew he had to do something to keep his Mariposa life going with wife, Autumn and teenage daughters Bonnie and Rianna. He realized that meant doing what no one wants to do. Michael and his family applied for the state’s Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).\r\n\r\nBut, Michael is a practical man.\r\n\r\n“I’ve been paying into the whole welfare thing for 20-years,” he says. “Now it’s paying off for me.”\r\n\r\nRegardless, food stamps and temporary financial assistance were not going to solve their problems. During the application process their case processor asked Michael about the possibility of him going back to school through their Cal-Works program.\r\n\r\nMichael had not been in a classroom for twenty years and had no idea for a new career direction. At forty years old with no college degree, he had no ideas.\r\n\r\nHis case processer said, “I’d think of what I wanted to do when I was 10-years old and do that.” Pop. Whiz. Bang. The stars started to line up.\r\n\r\nMichael and Autumn looked at each other. Helicopters.\r\n\r\n“You’ve been taking them apart (models) and putting them back together for years,” said Autumn. “Why don’t you build a real one?”\r\n\r\nThey went home, hit the internet and found just what they needed at SJVC’s <a title="SJVC Aviation" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-campus/" target="_blank">Aviation campus</a>. Within four days of seeing the campus online, Michael was enrolled. The ten-year old was in charge – and he turned out to be a smart and intuitive little guy.\r\n\r\nMichael hit it hard. He leaves the house at 4:45 AM each morning to make the 2-hour commute, and gets back around 5:30 each night. That’s a daily 4 hour round-trip and 790 miles a week.\r\n\r\n“It’s just a routine,” says Michael. “And a small price for such a big payout.”\r\n\r\nHe and Autumn are grateful for the Welfare-to-Work program that provides grants for education, tools, uniforms and gas.\r\n\r\nMichael wasn’t sure what to expect in class but he was reassured by the environment he found.\r\n\r\n“It’s as strict and real as it needs to be, but it’s also a very relaxed atmosphere,” he says. “You’re allowed to laugh, which is very conducive to learning. We’re a bunch of mechanics, so nobody pulls any punches, either.”\r\n\r\nMichael is a natural at all things airborne. His grandfather worked for NASA, so maybe he has the bloodline advantage. However, Michael didn’t just do well in class – he began to thrive. Not only were his grades rolling in As, he became heavily involved in Student Council and is a natural mentor to fellow students.\r\n\r\n“I’m one of the people who decides how to benefit the student body,” Michael says about his Student Council work, noting it will also look good on his resume. And, helping others “is helping me too, to better understand something.”\r\n\r\n“Michael is well liked and is a natural leader,” offers Don Dutra, AMT Powerplant instructor. “He helped other students with labs and organized study sessions with students to improve grades on exams and lab work. He also has perfect attendance.”\r\n\r\nMichael feels very good about what he is learning in his <a title="Aviation Maintenance Technology program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-maintenance-technology/" target="_blank">Aviation Maintenance Technology</a> program.\r\n\r\n“The fact that I am going to be allowed to work on anything that flies – all over the world…that’s a pretty big deal,” he says.\r\n\r\nMichael and his family have made some huge sacrifices for him to go back to school. But, they all realize it has to be now.\r\n\r\n“It would not have been possible to pay for life and school at the same time,” says Michael. “Plus, I don’t want to be collecting cans when I’m 60.” Not much danger of that.\r\n\r\nMichael holds a bright vision of his future. “As far as I can tell, we’re never going to stop flying,” he says. “And, I want to do something that’s going to be around at least as long as I am.”\r\n\r\nA little farther out, Michael has an even bigger plan.\r\n\r\n“I don’t even want anyone else to work on my car,” he laughs; “so part of the reward of all this is to work on my own plane one day.”\r\n\r\nUp, up and away.', 'Childhood dream becomes reality at Fresno''s Aviation campus', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', '10-year-old-boy-makes-career-decision', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:54:13', '2014-10-02 20:54:13', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/10-year-old-boy-makes-career-decision', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12432, 17, '2013-10-07 10:00:00', '2013-10-07 17:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1695" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1695" title="Respiratory Therapy student Andrea Evans" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Screen-Shot-2013-09-23-at-2.04.40-PM-290x290.png" alt="Respiratory Therapy student Andrea Evans" width="290" height="290" /> Andrea''s education was put in jeopardy when her husband suffered a heart attack.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAndrea Evans knew it was going to be all uphill to succeed in her Respiratory Therapy program on the <a title="SJVC Temecula Campus - offering Respiratory Therapy classes" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula" target="_blank">Temecula campus</a>.\r\n\r\nAt 38-years old she’d spent 20-years in the restaurant management business and with only a few post high school college classes in the distant past, confidence in her ability to be a good student was pretty thin. Her fears were realized almost immediately when she noticed that most of the other students were much younger – and faster.\r\n\r\n“Their brains were like little machines,” says Andrea, “the way they understood things so quickly. I had to teach my brain to think and study like a student again.”\r\n\r\nIt didn’t take long for Andrea to catch the rhythm of her new student identity. And, she excelled.\r\n\r\nAbout half-way through her program Andrea’s life and the lives of her husband, Jason, 18-year old daughter, Hayley, and 7-year old Seth changed. Jason, a heavy equipment operator, was alone on a job and digging a trench when his boss, Gary, stopped by. Suddenly, Jason went into cardiac arrest and his heart and breathing stopped. Gary performed CPR until paramedics arrived 15-minutes later and took over. They were eventually able to bring Jason back. Andrea got the call no one expects to get.\r\n\r\n“It’s a miracle that Gary was there to help,” says Andrea. Imagining anything else was impossible.\r\n\r\nThe next month, as Jason lay in ICU at Loma Linda Hospital and began his slow recovery, one family’s world was turned upside down. It became a routine of “school, tests, drive to hospital, home, kids, eat, sleep, then do it all over again,” says Andrea. She spent weekends at a hotel near the hospital, while her mom and Hayley took care of Seth and household responsibilities.\r\n\r\nThe <a title="Respiratory Therapy classes at SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy" target="_blank">RT program</a> was not a priority.\r\n\r\n“I thought about dropping out – and no one would have blamed me for it,” says Andrea. But Jason had pushed her to start school and now he was pushing her to finish. “He would have felt even worse if I hadn’t finished and I didn’t want our kids to see me quit.” She hung on.\r\n\r\nAndrea found help from an unexpected place. SJVC students and instructors stepped up with every kind of assistance. “Teachers want you to succeed as much as you want to succeed,” says Andrea. “They will meet you wherever and whenever you can to help you.”\r\n\r\nClassmate Cheryl Stansburg organized a school fundraiser to help the financial burden Andrea’s family was facing.\r\n\r\n“They raised $1,100. for us and it was a very emotional day for me,” says Andrea. “Mr. Hall told me, ‘When there is a student crisis, we come together as a family,’” she explains. “Without their support, this would have been impossible for me to do.”\r\n\r\nCheryl, especially, made it her business to cover for her friend. “Cheryl drove me to clinic sites, brought food to me at school and at the hospital, took notes for me when I couldn’t make it to class and just made it clear to me that she would help in any way she could.”\r\n\r\nAndrea made up clinical days and still managed to complete the RT program in August with a 3.67 GPA. She has also completed her licensure exam and recently passed the Registered Respiratory Therapy exam.\r\n\r\n“Andrea has become an inspiration to classmates, underclass students, instructors and practitioners at the hospitals,” says Michael Schultz, RT Director of Clinical Education. “She is someone I would want to be working with during a disaster situation because she has proven that she has the ability to complete what needs to be done in very stressful circumstances.”\r\n\r\nJason is now home and continuing to recover. “He has no brain or heart damage, which we attribute to how healthy he was before,” says Andrea.\r\n\r\nAndrea is about to start work as a Respiratory Therapist at a local hospital and is looking forward to a full-time, 3-day work week.\r\n\r\n“I spent 20-years in the restaurant business, with a husband and daughter I never saw,” she says. “You always have an excuse to put things off because…life happens.”\r\n\r\nAndrea is happy that their new life will allow her more time with her family. Her only regret?\r\n\r\n“The thing I’d have done differently is to do this program 20-years ago,” says Andrea.', 'Family crisis nearly forces student to drop out', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'family-crisis-nearly-forces-student-to-drop-out', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy', '2014-10-02 13:57:46', '2014-10-02 20:57:46', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/family-crisis-nearly-forces-student-to-drop-out', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12433, 17, '2013-10-08 09:03:46', '2013-10-08 16:03:46', '[caption id="attachment_1724" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1724 " title="Awards in Surgical Technology" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-10-07-at-9.04.36-AM-290x290.png" alt="Awards in Surgical Technology" width="290" height="290" /> The Surgical Program received this award for maintaining a pass rate of twenty to thirty percent better than the national average.[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Fresno Campus’ <a title="Surgical Technology program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/surgical-technology/" target="_blank">Surgical Technology</a> program is on a roll. This is the third year that their ST program has been recognized by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assistants with a Merit Award for an over 90% pass rate for its graduates who took the certification exam.\r\n\r\n“Our student-centered approach creates a lot of discovery and interaction among student groups, instead of traditional instructor-dependent learning, which has the instructor in front of the class lecturing,” says Teri Junge, ST Program Director. “We reinforce what students learn from their reading and homework, rather than have them hear it for the first time in class.”\r\n\r\nExam pass rates back up this education model for <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/" target="_blank">Fresno SJVC</a> Surg. Tech. graduates:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>8/01/2012 -7/31/2013  21 of 22 graduates passed certification exam for a  <b>95% pass rate</b></li>\r\n	<li>8/01/2011-7/31/2012   18 of 20 graduates passed certification exam for a  <b>90% pass rate</b></li>\r\n	<li>8/01/2010-7/31/2011     9 of  9  graduates passed certification exam for a <b>100% pass rate</b></li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThis 3-year run of high pass rates is especially impressive when compared to the NBSTSA’s National average of 70%.\r\n\r\n“We’ve done really well the last few years,” says Junge. “Our ST students got a lot more involved and there was greater focus on review classes.”\r\n\r\nGraduates obtaining national certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) demonstrate during their exam the basic competencies for safe patient care in the operating room.  NBSTSA certification is widely recognized in the health care community as the foremost credential for surgical technologists in the nation. Certification is required for employment within many local, state and national health care organizations.\r\n\r\nFresno campus’s graduating STs are riding the wave of a strong program coupled with successful certification exam preparation. Graduates and the communities they will serve can only benefit.', 'Fresno Surgical Technology program earns Merit Award', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'surgical-technology-program-earns-merit-award', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/', '2014-10-02 13:57:27', '2014-10-02 20:57:27', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1723', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12434, 17, '2013-10-10 10:00:00', '2013-10-10 17:00:00', '<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1729" title="Moving SJVC into Ontario" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/IMG_9765-e1381360060108-290x290.jpeg" alt="Moving SJVC into Ontario" width="290" height="290" />Almost 550 students avoided disruption of their class schedules when fifteen semi-trucks, over a hundred packers, movers, installation technicians, IT and Facility department personnel, a few campus employees and perfect orchestration made an unbelievable 3-day move from Rancho Cucamonga to the newly constructed <a title="SJVC Ontario" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/ontario/">campus in Ontario</a> recently.\r\n\r\n“We finished at 8:00 pm Sunday night and were here to open the doors to our new campus at 6:30 am Monday morning,” says Sherril Hein, Ontario Campus Director. “We conducted tours for all of our students to help them feel at home from the very first day.”\r\n\r\nStudents are pretty excited about their new environment.\r\n\r\n“The campus is clean and streamlined,” says student Ashley Dubuque. “It is compact, but feels roomy at the same time, giving it a feeling of efficiency.”\r\n\r\nThe campus is at the intersection of Freeways 15 and 10, near the Ontario Airport and Ontario Mills Mall, and will provide greater visibility and easier access for students and visitors. The 3.2 mile move from Rancho Cucamonga will better serve its students and help increase community awareness of the educational options it provides to the surrounding area.\r\n\r\n“We are looking forward to a tremendous period of growth ahead,” says Hein. “We believe our programs are the best that can be offered, and this beautiful campus is a great way to showcase them.”\r\n\r\nThe new 2-story, 50,000 sq.ft. building sits on 5 ½ acres and provides 400 parking stalls to better accommodate the student population, staff, faculty and visitors. SJVC’s campus structure will comply with all green standards and requirements, which will ensure that equipment and materials will enjoy more efficient energy consumption.\r\n\r\n“Our new building design is spacious and places a particular emphasis on student gathering places,” says Sherril Hein. “Our indoor student center will provide student study, lounging and eating areas, and our large outside patio is perfect for single or group gatherings,” she says.\r\n\r\n“I really like how all the students from all the programs are together in one building,” says student Pedro Vargas. “Feels like we are a family.”\r\n\r\nThe Ontario business community has welcomed SJVC and has great hopes of a future of shared success.\r\n\r\n“Having an educated workforce is an important asset for our businesses, and we are very excited to have SJVC as part of our education community to better serve our existing businesses and the businesses that we want to attract to Ontario,” says Mayor Paul Leon.', 'Goodbye Rancho Cucamonga….Hello Ontario!', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'goodbye-rancho-cucamonga-hello-ontario', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:56:43', '2014-10-02 20:56:43', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/goodbye-rancho-cucamonga-hello-ontario', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12435, 17, '2013-11-01 10:00:00', '2013-11-01 17:00:00', '<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1732" title="One of several SJVC shirt designs available for sale" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-10-10-at-10.40.23-AM.png" alt="One of several SJVC shirt designs available for sale" width="140" height="190" />The <a title="See more about SJVC Fresno here" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno" target="_blank">Fresno campus</a> Student Emergency Fund will have a nice financial bump after revenue from November T-shirt sales rolls in.\r\n\r\nThe Student Emergency Fund’s student pantry is a safety net of supplies and modest financial assistance for students who find themselves in an unexpected pinch.\r\n\r\n“We provide students with a loaner uniform or professional dress attire for a job interview, and sometimes emergency groceries, toiletry items or a gas card,” says Will Cummings, Dean of Student Services.\r\n\r\nThe pantry is run by the Student Resource Office and managed by staff and faculty. Often those working closest with students become aware of a student’s special need or situation that has them struggling, and the Student Emergency Fund can step in to help them get through it. Occasionally a student will come in with a request that the Student Resource Center can help resolve.\r\n\r\nCampus fundraisers are at times directed toward replenishing the Center. “It is students helping students,” says Cummings, and it promotes a feeling of community on campus.\r\n\r\nTo spur Fresno campus sales, Campus Director Sumer Avila is offering each student who buys a motivational T-shirt a dress-down day the Monday after they receive their tees.\r\n\r\n“I am super excited for the November t-shirt sale,” says Avila. “Starting on Friday, November 1st, the Fresno Campus is coming together to support each other. Don''t miss the Monday Jeans Day fun!”\r\n\r\nEach month $1.00 from every sale of a ‘motivational’ tee benefits a different campus. And, sales are going great for these popular tees with messages of commitment, inspiration, humor and insight. They are particularly popular to wear for dress-down days and SJVC casual events.\r\n\r\nEveryone can help the Fresno campus raise money for their Student Emergency Fund. Browse the selections at https://wwwfacebook.com/sjvcs/app 515661228485859. T-shirts can be purchased for $6.00, using PayPal or a credit card on SJVC’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sjvcs. There is no charge for shipping if you pick up your purchase at your career services office; otherwise it is $4.00 to send it elsewhere. SJVC is selling the T-shirts to you at cost – plus a dollar donation to a fellow campus.\r\n\r\nLet’s all show some SJVC team spirit in November!', 'Fresno campus students benefit from T-shirt sales', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'fresno-campus-students-benefit-from-t-shirt-sales', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:53:14', '2014-10-02 20:53:14', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno-campus-students-benefit-from-t-shirt-sales', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12436, 17, '2013-10-17 10:00:00', '2013-10-17 17:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1740" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1740 " src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-10-14-at-2.18.20-PM-290x290.png" alt="This April Valerie joined Fresno campus graduates on stage where almost 200 graduates celebrated their achievements. It was a moment she savored." width="290" height="290" /> This April Valerie joined Fresno campus graduates on stage where almost 200 graduates celebrated their achievements. It was a moment she savored.[/caption]\r\n\r\nGiven the choice of rolling over or digging in when things get tough, Valerie Coe is going to grab a shovel. And it is that kind of tenacity that got her through some very difficult times over the last year.\r\n\r\nAs a Nuclear Decontamination Technician, Valerie spent a lot of time on the road. It wasn’t a bad life, but when her mom, Carole, told her she had cancer, every moment away from her was too long.\r\n\r\n“I hung up my hard hat and spent the next two years taking care of her and helping her check things off her bucket list,” says Valerie.\r\n\r\nWith Carole’s passing in September, 2012, “My life just imploded,” says Valerie. “I had to look at this as a reason to focus on something else.” Her new focus was education, something her mom had made her promise she would continue one day. Valerie found SJVC’s Online <a title="Medical Office program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office/" target="_blank">Medical Office Administration</a> program and started classes that same month.\r\n\r\nStill very much grieving for her mom, classes, homework and studying were a struggle.\r\n\r\n“It was mentally very challenging,” says Valerie. “I was living on coffee and couldn’t make my brain focus. Sometimes it would spring a leak and I’d have to put away the books and cry for awhile, then mop it up and go back to work.”\r\n\r\nValerie got out the shovel.\r\n\r\n“This wasn’t my first rodeo,” the 57- year old says. “I have a lot of drive, tenacity and training to stick with it.”\r\n\r\nIn fact, it did not take long for her “twenty-something” classmates to “figure out that I picked it up pretty easily. I was not bashful about offering my opinion or assistance,” says Valerie.\r\n\r\n“Valerie was not only a great student but a team player and leader,” says Theresa Paserb, one of her instructors. “Whether within the discussion forum or live lecture, Ms. Coe extended assistance to her fellow classmates.”\r\n\r\nValerie wrapped up her MOA program with flying colors – colors she later proudly wore on her graduation cap and gown.\r\n\r\nHer accolades include a Perfect Attendance award, Dean’s List (5 times), 4.0 GPA and the honor of representing her class as Valedictorian at graduation. Valerie also joined the National Technical Honor Society and took and passed the certification exam to become a Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant.\r\n\r\nThis April Valerie joined Fresno campus graduates on stage where almost 200 graduates celebrated their achievements. It was a moment she savored.\r\n\r\n“Mom had a bird’s eye view,” says Valerie. “She may have crossed over but my promise to get an education didn’t go with her.”', 'No time for self-pity', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'no-time-for-self-pity', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:54:30', '2014-10-02 20:54:30', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/no-time-for-self-pity', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12437, 17, '2013-10-15 10:00:00', '2013-10-15 17:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1883" align="alignleft" width="423"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1883 " title="Cupcake business plan" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/edited_cupcake.png" alt="Cupcake business plan" width="423" height="290" /> Sonia and Lauren left no aspect unaccounted for in their cupcake business plan.[/caption]\r\n\r\nTheir assignment was to create a business, develop a business plan and present it to “the bank” – in this case Campus Director, Joel Morgan, Academic Dean, Victoria Gutierrez and other staff – in order to get approval for a business loan.\r\n\r\nSonia and Laura put their heads together and came up with “Panoramic Cupcakes”, a mobile cupcake café. Sonia loves to bake and Laura has a solid understanding of finances, so they knew they would make a great team. Now came the hard part. The plan.\r\n\r\n“It took a lot more work than we thought,” says Sonia. “The Business Plan had to take all aspects into account, like how much cupcake inventory we had to have, budget, competition, advertisements, self-employment. It was a lot to put together.”\r\n\r\nThe big day came and their Business Plan, after many revisions, was ready to present to ‘the bank’. Their project grade would be based upon how much of their $14,000 loan request was granted. To improve their odds, the mobile cupcake team had a secret weapon that might just sway the lenders: a multi-tiered, display of creatively decorated cupcakes, brownie pops and colossal cupcakes ready for sampling.\r\n\r\n“They provided a beautiful display of their products and overwhelmed the funding team,” says Joel Morgan.\r\n\r\nThis project was a powerful business experience for both students.\r\n\r\n“I want to open my own restaurant some day,” says Sonia, “so this business program is one of the smartest decisions I’ve made. This practice opened the door just that little crack that I needed to get started.”\r\n\r\nLaura, who was more intrigued by the financial and accounting aspect of starting a business, felt the effects of this project, too.\r\n\r\n“There’s a lot more to business than I thought,” says Laura. “After going through this process I understand what business owners go through and know that I will be more of an asset to them now.”\r\n\r\nEverybody benefitted from this exercise. The ‘lenders’ got a workable Business Plan and some delectable treats, the business entrepreneurs got a $12,000 ‘loan’ (qualifying them for an ‘A’ grade) and lots of attention from students pushing for the next bake sale. There is one more thing. Sonia has been hired to bake cupcakes for an upcoming birthday party.\r\n\r\nHow sweet it is.', 'The sweet smell of success', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'the-sweet-smell-of-success', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:54:48', '2014-10-02 20:54:48', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/the-sweet-smell-of-success', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12438, 17, '2013-10-28 10:00:00', '2013-10-28 17:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1749" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1749" title="Medical Assisting Student Sandy Clute and her fiance" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-10-22-at-8.34.04-AM-290x290.png" alt="Medical Assisting Student Sandy Clute and her fiance" width="290" height="290" /> Despite crises, Sandy resolved to make for herself a better life through education.[/caption]\r\n\r\nSandy Clute will be the first to tell you that not graduating high school until she was twenty-one was all on her. When she was a sophomore and not doing well with the academic constraints of the Akron, Ohio public school system, she opted to become an independent student enrolled in an online home-school program. But, the freedom of self-study proved too tempting.\r\n\r\n“I just didn’t put enough time into it,” says Sandy, who also held down a string of jobs along the way.\r\n\r\nBy the time Sandy was eighteen she had worked in everything from fast-food and factories to home health care and an assisted living facility. She was floating and wasn’t sure where she would land. Finally, she heard a voice that would snap her out of it.\r\n\r\nThe Assistant Principal of her old high school had come to work for the same independent study school she was in her 5th year of attending. “Coach”, as he was known, gave her the push she needed to finally finish graduation requirements. “Sandy, you can do this; I know you can,” he encouraged. “If you don’t do it now, you never will.”\r\n\r\n“I needed 4-units to graduate with my class and had 2-weeks to do it,” says Sandy. She told herself, “Sandy, you’ve been playing for so long that you’re about to fail at what you’ve been doing all your life. It was crunch time.”\r\n\r\nSandy pulled through and in June, 2009, at the age of twenty-one she graduated with her class of seventy-two.\r\n\r\nIn July, 2009 Sandy realized she was pregnant. She and her boyfriend had broken up the month before.\r\n\r\n“That was a strong smack in the face,” she says. “You have somebody you’re responsible for now, so do what you need to do,” she told herself.\r\n\r\nSandy started working full-time for a temporary agency and life went forward. Her daughter, Serenity, was born and Sandy focused on providing for the two of them as well as she could.\r\n\r\nSerenity had a series of health scares from age one until a few months after she turned two. First, a serious viral infection put her in the hospital, then at two-years old she struggled to drink liquids and suffered from symptoms of asthma, while sleep apnea threatened her at night. Thankfully, surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids resolved those problems. A few months after turning two, a serious dog bite that required almost 80-stitches on her face put her in the hospital for a week when the wound became infected “My bubble child,” says Sandy.\r\n\r\nThe health of her daughter restored, Sandy enrolled in SJVC’s <a title="Medical Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/" target="_blank">Clinical Medical Assisting</a> certificate program, <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/" target="_blank">Online</a>. She knew two things for sure: education was the key to providing a better life for Serenity, and online was the way for her to work and take care of her daughter while she got it.\r\n\r\nThe CMA program got off to a great start for Sandy.\r\n\r\nSandy was just settling in when the sudden loss of family members brought her progress to a halt. She began to flounder. Just two months after starting her program, Sandy was terminated.\r\n\r\nIt took two months for Sandy to get into a place where she could give the kind of attention to her education that it and she deserved. She petitioned SJVC to allow her to come back and was accepted.\r\n\r\n“My first week back Alyssa Perry (Dean of Student Services) called to introduce herself and to tell me that her door was always open,” says Sandy. “I was blown away.”\r\n\r\n“Sandy’s academics were suffering at the beginning of her program,” says Pamela Soto-Gonzalez, instructor. “After being terminated, she came back to school as the dedicated, motivated student I knew she could be. She is now on the Dean’s List and I feel her situation is a perfect example of how students can get into gear and turn it all around for themselves.”\r\n\r\nAnother person giving her encouragement and support is her fiancé, Ted, whom she plans to marry next June, and who “keeps me steady”, she says.\r\n\r\nScheduled to graduate at the end of October, Sandy’s focus is now a laser beam on the future.\r\n\r\n“I have to make sure that I do my best so that when my daughter gets older, is about to go to college and is facing difficulties, she will have faith in herself because she saw that I could do it.”\r\n\r\nSandy’s dream to become a Registered Nurse one day will make her point even stronger.', 'A long way from there…to here', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-long-way-from-thereto-here', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/', '2014-10-02 13:53:32', '2014-10-02 20:53:32', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/a-long-way-from-thereto-here', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12439, 14, '2013-10-23 10:00:00', '2013-10-23 17:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1762" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1762    " title="North American B-25 Mitchell" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Screen-Shot-2013-10-22-at-9.09.02-AM1-300x200.png" alt="North American B-25 Mitchell" width="300" height="200" /> This plane once flew sorties over North Africa and the Mediterranean. Now SJVC students must repair it.[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn the hangar at the <a title="SJVC Aviation" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-campus/" target="_blank">aviation campus</a> on the edge of the Tarmac at Fresno Yosemite Airport sits a piece of American history: the nose, cockpit, and fuselage of a North American B-25 Mitchell.\r\n\r\n"We''ve only had it about a month," says Program Director Richard Simmons. "It''ll be here for at least a year or more."\r\n\r\nRescued from the scrap heap by a local airfield and museum, the WWII bomber will provide a unique training opportunity for students with a future in aircraft maintenance.\r\n\r\nThe same model used by Colonel Doolittle in his daring raid over Tokyo, this medium bomber was a mainstay of Allied air corps from the Pacific to the Middle East. This particular plane was stationed in North Africa, judging by the brown paint job, and likely later took part in the invasion of Italy.\r\n\r\nIronically enough, the plane survived the fires of war only to be permanently grounded when it was crash landed for the 1992 Mel Gibson film Forever Young. After that stunt, it was unlikely this B-25 would ever fly again. But it still can help modern students to learn their trade.\r\n\r\n"They really crashed it," says Simmons. "You can see the dents in the fuselage."\r\n\r\nDespite being over half a century old, the aircraft presents special learning opportunities for students of the <a title="Aviation Maintenance Technology Program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-maintenance-technology/" target="_blank">aviation school</a>.\r\n\r\n"It''s not all that different," says Simmons, referring to the methods of maintaining aircraft from WWII to present.\r\n\r\nFixing a vintage plane will help a student gain the skills to fix modern aircraft.\r\n\r\nStudents will have to replace portions of the fuselage bent and dented from the crash, as well as replace the few support ribs that buckled under the stress of a landing without deployed landing gear. The original flooring will be installed, and proper glass will be fitted to the cockpit and gun turrets. Lastly, the jammed bottom hatch will be made usable.\r\n\r\nOnce the repairs are complete, the plane will leave the aviation campus bound for Eagle Field to be used as a museum piece. Patrons will be able to climb inside the cockpit and get a personal glimpse into our nation''s past.\r\n\r\nOne cannot help but feel envious of the students at the aviation campus. Not only are they learning the skills to keep planes in the skies, they also have the privilege to keep history alive for future generations.\r\n\r\n"It''s just wonderful that they would be willing to trust us with restoring this historic airplane," says Campus Director Jack MacFarlene. "It''s truly an honor."', 'SJVC Aviation students breathe new life into World War II Bomber', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sjvc-aviation-students-breathe-new-life-into-world-war-ii-bomber-2', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:53:55', '2014-10-02 20:53:55', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-aviation-students-breathe-new-life-into-world-war-ii-bomber-2', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12440, 17, '2013-11-04 10:00:00', '2013-11-04 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1766" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1766" title="Respiratory Therapy student Cheryl Stansbury and her family" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMAG0436-1-290x290.jpg" alt="Respiratory Therapy student Cheryl Stansbury and her family" width="290" height="290" /> Cheryl and her fellow Respiratory Therapy students found support in a rather unlikely place.[/caption]\r\n\r\nCheryl Stansbury knew things were going to be tight when she started her <a title="SJVC Temecula''s Respiratory Therapy program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapy</a> program in <a title="Respiratory Therapy at SJVC Temecula" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula" target="_blank">Temecula</a>. Her husband, Michael, was in an uncertain construction industry and his job site had him commuting 90-minutes each way. Their 2-year old daughter, Gloria, needed a stable home environment with as little back-and-forth to child-care as possible. Stress was mounting.\r\n\r\n“They tell you it’s hard, but you don’t really know until you get into it,” says Cheryl. “I was surprised at how intense the program is; but we had lots of support.”\r\n\r\nMotivation to push on came from an unexpected source. Documentary, “Flight of the Geese” was shown in RT Program Director and instructor William Hall’s class one day. It explained that geese fly in a V formation because the aerodynamic shape reduces the air resistance, enabling them to cover longer distances than flying in isolation.\r\n\r\nThe birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired, and another goose from the back takes the lead. Throughout their journey every goose helps out and takes a turn leading; their synergy of working together makes their flight less stressful and more productive.\r\n\r\n“The geese would even honk ‘encouragement’ when they got too slow,” says Cheryl. “Everyone in class got it. From then on we would honk at each other before a quiz for ‘good luck’, or we’d text ‘honk, honk, honk’,” she says.\r\n\r\nThe RT class realized that they could experience greater individual and group success if they pulled together as a team and took turns in a leadership role.\r\n\r\n‘Everyone had some sort of family situation that made it hard,” says Cheryl. She was no different.\r\n\r\nCheryl was up most mornings at 4:30 to take little Gloria to her mom’s house. Cheryl’s mom, also named Gloria, went from full-time to part-time work just to help out. When Cheryl was in 12-hour clinical rotation days, she would have 2-day blocks of not seeing her daughter at all.\r\n\r\nShe had some help at home, too. Pulling long days and miles of travel, Michael stepped in to fill the gaps.\r\n\r\n“He is not a man of many words, but he showed his support with his actions,” says Cheryl. “If there was an absence of dinner on the table, he’d say, ‘Don’t worry about it; just study and take the time you need.’”\r\n\r\nCheryl did just that and along the way made her mark on the Respiratory Therapy program and her budding career. She was a member of the campus’s RT team that won this year’s Sputum Bowl State Championship. With a 4.0 GPA and perfect attendance, she was Salutatorian for her graduating class.\r\n\r\nRight after her August graduation, Cheryl took three National Board of Respiratory Care exams to earn CRT, RRT and NPS credentials.\r\n\r\n“Cheryl is the perfect example of what it means to be a ‘clinician’ versus ‘technician’ in the field of Respiratory Therapy,” says William Hall. “She faced every challenge presented to her with a positive attitude and has set an amazing bar for all future RT students to strive to reach.”\r\n\r\nCheryl says her ‘standout moment’ was when she found out that the entire RT class of twelve passed all three exams on their first try. “That was awesome,” she says.\r\n\r\nPositive momentum is hard to stop.\r\n\r\nInland Valley Medical Center was her very first clinical rotation – and she was the first RT student the Center had ever invited for externship. She was confident and excited to demonstrate her skills and knowledge.\r\n\r\n“I loved everything about our program and school,” says Cheryl. “We had the best equipment so I was ready to go into any clinical site I was sent to.”\r\n\r\nCheryl begins her career in respiratory care at Inland Valley Medical Center, her first extern site, this month (Oct.). Big honks all around.', 'Honk if you need encouragement', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'honk-if-you-need-encouragement', '', '', '2014-10-02 13:52:44', '2014-10-02 20:52:44', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/honk-if-you-need-encouragement', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12441, 17, '2013-11-04 10:30:55', '2013-11-04 18:30:55', '[caption id="attachment_1771" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1771 " title="Marathoners swarm the finish line" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-04-at-10.52.11-AM-290x290.png" alt="Marathoners swarm the finish line" width="290" height="290" /> Thousands took part in the marathon, including a number from SJVC''s faculty and staff.[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt has been a long but rewarding 7-months of fundraising and physical conditioning for Team SJVC as they prepared for the Nike Women’s San Francisco Marathon held on Oct. 20<sup>th</sup>. The marathon, which benefits the Leukemia &amp; Lymphoma Society (LLS) through the Team in Training (TNT) program attracted over 30,000 runners. Some members of Team SJVC opted to support and run in TNT’s Disneyland Half Marathon held on Labor Day\r\n\r\nTeam SJVC will tell you that the effort they made for LLS was well worth it.\r\n\r\n“Condition training schedules were 3-days a week, along with meetings scheduled for fundraising and nutrition counseling,” says Carole Brown, Team SJVC member. The team also put a lot of energy into fundraising that included dress-down days, marathon sponsorships and a rummage sale, which brought in $1,000.\r\n\r\nSeven TNT members from SJVC were part of the March sign-up to run in one of the two half marathon races (13.1 miles), and each made a personal pledge to raise $2,700 for LLS. As hard as the workout schedules were, fundraising was just as difficult.\r\n\r\n“Asking for money is one of the most difficult things for team members to do, but our LLS volunteers and staff provide resources that allow participants to reach – and even surpass – their goals,” says Nicole Weatherford, TNT South Valley Campaign Specialist. All seven SJVC participants met their fundraising goal – and finished their races.\r\n\r\nProud SJVC TNT members are: <b><i>Carole Brown, Lauren Haney, Judy Petty, Mary Hansen, Liz Briseno, Alyssa Perry </i></b>and <b><i>Michelle Pimental</i></b>.\r\n\r\nAlyssa Perry, SJVC’s TNT Team Captain and Dean of Student Services for the Online campus, took her leadership role to the max. Alyssa raised over $6,550 of the $25,000 Team SJVC collected, and Liz Briseno went well beyond her initial pledge with $3,622. The South Valley total was around $80,000.\r\n\r\nThe Leukemia &amp; Lymphoma Society’s many fundraising campaigns, including TNT, work to provide financial assistance to individuals and families struggling with the emotional and financial burdens of fighting cancer. Donations are used to provide patient advocacy, insurance co-pay assistance, patient treatment and care and financial assistance to families of a cancer patient who need bus fare, housing and help with insurance costs. (See: www.LLS.org)\r\n\r\n“Team SJVC was very dedicated to fundraising for this cause,” says Weatherford. “They are a pillar of the health of our community.”\r\n\r\nIf SJVC runners were caught up in fundraising and training all these months, the true nature of their endeavor hit them as soon as they got to the S.F. Union Square starting line\r\n\r\n“I wasn’t prepared for how emotional it was,” says Carole Brown. “There were people with photos of someone they wanted to honor on the back of their shirts and others who you could tell were very ill, on the sidelines cheering us on,” she says. “More than a few of us cried.\r\n\r\nTeam SJVC wore orange arm bands that read, ‘Team Aarin’, in support of the 5-year old son of runner Michelle Pimental’s good friends Monica and Ricky Flores.  Few runners and supporters do not have a close friend or family member whose life has been affected or taken by cancer.\r\n\r\nThe team pushed through the emotion, the pain and the body fatigue to the Golden Gate Park finish line. With 90-coaches encouraging, hydrating and monitoring them along the route, they felt able to go the distance.\r\n\r\nRun times for each of the Team SJVC members felt irrelevant\r\n\r\n“You see the 13-mile marker and that last .1 mile feels like a lot,” says Carole Brown. “I was just happy to finish.”', 'Team SJVC runs for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'team-sjvc-runs-for-leukemia-lymphoma-society', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:55:43', '2014-10-02 18:55:43', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/?p=1769', 0, 'post', '', 0);
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(12442, 17, '2013-11-12 10:00:00', '2013-11-12 18:00:00', '<img class="alignleft  wp-image-1776" title="SJVC Visalia Campus Divison Manager Eric Lindberg" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Eric-Linberg-large-290x290.jpg" alt="SJVC Visalia Campus Divison Manager Eric Lindberg" width="232" height="232" />Eric Lindberg gets as good as he gives. As a Visalia campus Division Manager he is constantly encouraging faculty, students – whomever his audience – to strive to be their best. Eric doesn’t hold that concept any less true for himself.\r\n\r\nLast month Mr. Lindberg picked up his Masters Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership, along with 300 other MA and Doctorate graduates at the Denver, Colorado Convention Center. The ceremony was the culmination of his 3-years of online study with the University of the Rockies.\r\n\r\n“It just seemed like the natural thing to do…to try and improve yourself,” says Lindberg. “My wife, Autumn, already had her MA and was a big influence for me to go on and get mine.”\r\n\r\nAcademic Dean, Tami Olson, couldn’t agree more.\r\n\r\n“This is a great achievement and Eric will use the skills he has acquired to work with a diverse faculty – from HVAC to CAMA.”\r\n\r\nMr. Lindberg spends about 25-35% of his work week conducting professional development training sessions for instructors. He finds it intriguing to bring “career people” who trained for a career in a specific field, into an “instructor” frame of mind, motivation and behaviors.\r\n\r\n“There is definitely a difference between student learners and experienced ‘career’ instructors as learners,” say Mr. Lindberg.\r\n\r\nMr. Lindberg has worked for SJVC on both the <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/" target="_blank">Fresno</a> and <a title="SJVC Visalia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/" target="_blank">Visalia</a> campuses and as a teacher and is now involved in the professional development of our instructors. This job diversity has allowed him to notice the difference in learning between students and instructors. As Mr. Lindberg puts it,\r\n\r\n“Student learners are taking in new information that someday will help them excel at the career field of their choice. For the most part, our core instructors have already had success in their career field and now are learning to impart that experience to students in a meaningful way that will ensure maximum engagement and learning occur every day; which is not as easy as it might sound…there are many things to take into account such as the makeup and demographic of our student; how people learn and take in information, what their attention spans are; and not every class is the same.”\r\n\r\nHis greatest inspiration to teach?\r\n\r\n“That ah-hah moment,” says Eric. “When they get it and then they take it and use it in the classroom.” It’s exciting for him to see instructors take what they have learned and use it and get excited to come to class the next day and do it again.\r\n\r\n“When it works, students get excited as well and learn more when the sessions have balance, boundaries and academic success. I tell my instructors that where they place “the bar” is where their students will reach. If it is low, that is where they’ll stop, if it is high, they’ll go all the way to the top. It is human nature!”\r\n\r\nLindberg also likes pushing teachers to take their course outline and put their own imagination into it to better engage students.\r\n\r\n“The more out of the box, the better,” he says.\r\n\r\nHe talks about a Pharmacy Tech teacher who gave her students sidewalk chalk, took them outside and had them write brand and generic names of medicines on the walkway. It was an effective way to make a deeper memory impression on student minds,\r\n\r\n“But, it was probably a little bit of a clean-up job for the maintenance people,” Eric laughs.\r\n\r\nAt 35-years old, Eric was a late bloomer to higher education. He started at COS then transferred to Fresno Pacific University to get his BA degree. While he was going to school, Eric worked full-time playing trumpet and in the main office with the Celebrant Singers. He still enjoys expressing his musical inclinations and has played with the Tulare Co. Symphony, school musicals and Christmas plays.\r\n\r\n“I’ll play any gig I can get,” he says. “For free (if I have to)!” His family’s church is the current steady benefactor of his musical talent.\r\n\r\nEric balances his work responsibilities with a rich home-life. He and Autumn, a marriage and family therapist who is the Program Director for Pacific University in Visalia, adopted siblings Luis, Anthony and Jaycelene, now age 5, 4 and 2 ½ a couple of years ago. It has been a pretty remarkable couple of years, full of adjustments and celebrations. Eric sings Autumn’s praises.\r\n\r\n“She takes my breath away every day,” he says. “She is a saint.”\r\n\r\nAutumn’s aspirations have a profound effect on their shared life.\r\n\r\n“My wife and I want to start a Doctorate program together at some point,” says Eric. “But right now my family is my hobby and my life.”', 'Inspire and be inspired', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'inspire-and-be-inspired', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:55:05', '2014-10-02 18:55:05', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/inspire-and-be-inspired', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12443, 17, '2013-11-07 10:00:00', '2013-11-07 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1780" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1780 " title="Graduate Jessica De La Cruz" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/photo-290x290.jpg" alt="Graduate Jessica De La Cruz" width="290" height="290" /> Jessica was pleasantly surprised when she found that an article she had written for the Surgical Technology program had been published in a medical journal.[/caption]\r\n\r\nJessica De La Cruz was flipping through the October issue of “The Surgical Technologist” when she noticed an article titled Total Abdominal Hysterectomy.\r\n\r\n“Oh, I wrote a paper about that,” Jessica thought. Then, she noticed her name in the by-line. “My mouth dropped open.”\r\n\r\nJessica had no idea that the writing assignment in Program Director, Teri Junge’s class would result in this kind of accolade – especially since Jessica struggled terribly with essays.\r\n\r\nShe and her fellow <a title="Surgical Technology program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/surgical-technology/" target="_blank">Surgical Tech</a> students were charged with writing about a first-person surgical experience from their clinical rotations, incorporating great medical detail. The pressure was on even more when Mrs. Junge told the class that some articles might be submitted to industry magazines for publication consideration.\r\n\r\n“Writing was always hard for me and I would get stomach aches just thinking about it,” says Jessica. “But, gynecology is my favorite, so it was easier to write about it.”\r\n\r\nHer 13-page outline helped organize her thoughts and map out the direction and depth of content. She also developed a helpful writing routine. “Ok, just do two-pages today and one more tomorrow.”\r\n\r\nThree weeks later Jessica turned in 18-pages of a well-researched, and personally assisted and observed, surgical procedure.\r\n(See: http://www.ast.org/publications/Journal%20Archive/2013/10_October_2013/Web_CE_Sept2013.pdf)\r\n\r\n“It was very thorough and very interesting piece,” says Teri Junge. “Jessica did a very good job of communicating, and Surgical Technology students and experienced Surgical Technologists can learn from the detail of her paper.”\r\n\r\nJessica graduated from the <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/" target="_blank">Fresno campus</a> Surgical Tech program in Nov. 2012 and has been working as a Surgical Technologist in different specialties at Clovis Community Hospital since January.\r\n\r\n“It’s a lot of fun, and every day I’m doing something new,” says Jessica. “I’ve always wanted to be in an operating room and I really love scrubbing, so I’ll be doing this for a long time.”\r\n\r\nIt is also nice to be a published author and enjoy the recognition that comes with it, it seems. And, not just from her parents and boyfriend who are “so proud and bragging to everyone,” says Jessica.\r\n\r\nElliott, a current ST student who is in his own clinical rotations stopped Jessica the other day to congratulate her on her national magazine article.\r\n\r\n“Elliott told me that Mrs. Junge showed his class my article and told them, ‘This is what you need to strive for,’” she says.\r\n\r\nJessica De La Cruz is a name that ST students might hear for a long time to come.\r\n\r\n“I was just happy to get an ‘A’ on the assignment, she says.”', 'Surgical Tech Graduate''s Essay Published', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'surgical-tech-graduates-essay-published', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/surgical-technology/', '2014-10-02 11:55:23', '2014-10-02 18:55:23', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/surgical-tech-graduates-essay-published', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12444, 17, '2013-11-14 10:00:00', '2013-11-14 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1783" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1783 " title="Student Sy om" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-06-at-12.03.39-PM-290x290.png" alt="Student Sy om" width="290" height="290" /> Despite the bedlam that can accompany five children, Sy Om managed to excel in the program and graduate.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAt 31-years old, Sy Om had waited too long to go to college to let a little thing like giving birth to her fifth child slow her down. Soon after the delivery of her son, Athan, she was eager to get home.\r\n\r\n“The day I got home from the hospital she (Theresa Paserb, instructor) was my first call,” says Sy. Theresa had warned Sy that the Medical Coding module of her <a title="Medical Office program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office/" target="_blank">Medical Office Administration program</a> was the “very hardest class to catch up on.”\r\n\r\n“I could have gotten an extension,” she says. Instead, Sy’s attitude was “No, I’m going to show her.” In fact Sy was ready to show the world what she could do.\r\n\r\nSy didn’t always have that kind of confidence in herself.\r\n\r\nA first-time mom at sixteen, Sy was a stay-at-home mom of four children at twenty. Her first husband made it clear that the only thing she was capable of was cooking, cleaning and staying home. She wished for a life as a profession in the medical field, performing a larger service and making decisions that affected others.\r\n\r\n“My dream was just buried,” says Sy. “I left it alone for a very long time.”\r\n\r\nThen, she and her children were alone and faced with every single-mom’s greatest threat: how to survive. Sy didn’t waste much time in that state of fear and bewilderment.\r\n\r\n“I’m not going to wonder what to do in my life,” she decided. So began a long list of jobs that kept their family intact and food on the table.\r\n\r\n“I started in fast-food and 3-years later landed a job as a teller and new accounts person at a bank,” says Sy. “Then I went to work at WalMart because they are a 24-hour store and I could pick my hours.”\r\n\r\nThen one Thanksgiving, working the ‘Black Friday’ sale; it was 3:00 AM and she was waiting for long lines of buyers to move. Sy had an epiphany.\r\n“It’s Thanksgiving and I’m not with my family,” she thought. “It was a kick in the head for me.”\r\n\r\nOn December 14th, right after that Thanksgiving weekend, Sy started the <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/" target="_blank">online MOA certificate program</a>. Even though she was two months pregnant with Athan, Sy was determined to finally realize her dream of training to work in the medical field.\r\n\r\nThis time she had some strong support at home from Jonathan, her second husband. “He helped with children, prepared meals and kept telling me that I was smart and that I could do it,” says Sy.\r\n\r\nAfter the first month of struggling to navigate the new world of online classes, things suddenly clicked for her. Sy began to string up her 4.0s and inclusions on the Dean’s List. She was unstoppable…well, until that pesky child-birth thing. But even that event was barely a deterrent.\r\n\r\nIn Sy’s Insurance Principles class any doubt she may have had about fitting in at a medical office disappeared. Her own personal ethics matched the criteria for medical standards practice.\r\n\r\n“I would never speak of someone’s health problems, just to gossip,” says Sy. “It made me realize how important I would be to the medical field, that I could make my patients feel comfortable with that knowledge.” Her dedication and strength of character did not go unnoticed.\r\n\r\n“It was Sy’s determination and motivation to complete the program that shined through at a level above what could ever be expected,” says Theresa Paserb, Sy’s instructor. “She took planning and prioritizing in an effort to meet course requirements to an ultimate high.”\r\n\r\nSy graduated in July with two other online students, who together took the stage with the <a title="SJVC Rancho Cordova" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova/" target="_blank">Rancho Cordova</a> graduates this September. It was a proud moment standing there in her cap and gown, and seeing her loving family in the audience made her vision complete. There before her were Jonathan and all five children, ages 16, 13, 12, 11 and 5-month old Athan.\r\n\r\nSy hadn’t told anyone outside her husband and children that she was in college.\r\n\r\n“Nobody else knew I was going to school,” says Sy. “I didn’t want to hear any negative comments.”\r\n\r\nMaybe that’s why this milestone was even sweeter when family members, including a sister she hadn’t seen in three years, traveled the distance to watch her claim her prize.\r\n\r\nNow Sy has a new plan. “I want to get experience as a patient representative, become a medical biller and coder at UC Davis, stabilize for awhile, then go back for a degree,” she says. And, what is her highest vision?\r\n\r\n“I want to be the Executive Director of a health care facility,” she says. We don’t doubt for a minute that she will get there.', 'Medical Office Administration student achieves for her family', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'hardship-no-match-for-students-determination', '', 'http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/rancho-cordova/', '2014-10-02 11:54:15', '2014-10-02 18:54:15', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/hardship-no-match-for-students-determination', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12445, 17, '2013-11-25 10:00:00', '2013-11-25 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1787" align="alignleft" width="137"]<img class=" wp-image-1787 " title="SJVC Computer Systems Student Gabriel Ontiveros" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-06-at-12.12.04-PM-229x290.png" alt="SJVC Computer Systems Student Gabriel Ontiveros" width="137" height="174" /> Gabriel Ontiveros has resolved to avoid the pitfalls of his peers, starting by enrolling at SJVC.[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere is a worse prison than the one in which many of Gabriel Ontiveros’ friends lived. The prison of one’s own mind is much more limiting.\r\n\r\n“If you think you’re not worth it, if somebody tore you down, if nobody makes you feel like you can ever do anything, you need to start to see something special in yourself,” says Gabriel. “Change your mind-set.”\r\n\r\nGabriel knows very well how that works. He also knows how easy it is to get into that place of doubt and fear.\r\n\r\nIn his early 20s Gabriel hung out with guys “who were a bad influence, and I was doing some stupid things,” he says.\r\n\r\nGabriel had run-ins with the law and saw many of his friends locked up for a long time. The consequences he paid and the tough advice he got from ‘lifers’ told him he needed to change things in his life in a big way.\r\n\r\n“They kind of mentored me and got me turned around,” he says. “I had to start doing better.”\r\n\r\nFinally, at 32-years old, Gabriel was ready to act on his determination.\r\n\r\nGabriel enrolled in the <a title="Computer Systems Administration program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/computer-systems-administration/" target="_blank">Computer Systems Administration program</a> at the <a title="SJVC Visalia Campus" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/" target="_blank">Visalia campus</a> and started the slow process of believing in himself again.\r\n\r\nUntil starting the CSA program “I never touched a computer ever before in my life,” he says. That had to be a pretty rough start to his introduction to the class. But, Gabriel worked very hard in class to try to catch up to everyone else who had pretty much always had a computer in their lives.\r\n\r\n“I thought I was catching on pretty good,” he says. When he earned an “A” in his first class, “That kind of helped; and I felt really good.”\r\n\r\nGabriel had a lot of family support from his wife, Decinda, their kids and Gabriel’s sisters Jessica and Sylvia. “I couldn’t have done it without them,” he says. But it was his mom, Sandra’s voice that really pushed him forward.\r\n\r\n“She believes in tough love and always told me, ‘We believe you can do it – but it’s on you,’” he says. “It helped me see things a lot differently.”\r\n\r\nGabriel, as it turned out, was a great fit for CSA. “Every day was a good day and I loved going to school,” says Gabriel.\r\n\r\nHe walked across that graduation stage in August and claimed his reward with 109 other successful grads. He stood out to those in attendance because Gabriel was one of 28 graduates inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, and who wore purple and silver honor cords and white tassels to designate their privileged membership. To qualify Gabriel had to maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, 85% attendance and perform 8-hours of community service.\r\n\r\nHad Gabriel addressed the audience that night, he would have given a clear and emphatic message to those who might let self-doubt and the negative voices of others keep them from their life goals.\r\n\r\n“Regardless of the past, right now – from today on – it can be different,” says Gabriel. “It’s hard and everything is a chance. Nothing in life really worth it is easy. But it can be done if you work for it.”\r\n\r\nGabriel is on a roll. Somewhere in the more distant future he and his sister, Jessica, hope to open a nursing home where Gabriel will set up its computer network system and help run the business. He is now in the enrollment process to get his Bachelor’s degree.\r\n\r\nBecause…he’s worth it.', 'SJVC Computer student finds dreams can grow from low self-worth', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'dreams-can-grow-from-low-self-worth', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/computer-systems-administration/', '2014-10-02 11:53:26', '2014-10-02 18:53:26', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/dreams-can-grow-from-low-self-worth', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12446, 17, '2013-11-12 12:00:00', '2013-11-12 20:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1866" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1866  " title="Would Care Awareness Week" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-12-at-11.33.47-AM-290x290.png" alt="Would Care Awareness Week" width="290" height="290" /> More than 250 people would attend the fair to learn more about their medical fields of interest.[/caption]\r\n\r\nTwenty Clinical and <a title="Medical Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/" target="_blank">Administrative Medical Assisting</a> and <a title="Medical Office program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-office/" target="_blank">Administrative Health Care Management</a> students from SJVC’s Hesperia campus participated in the St. Mary Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine’s public information and health fair, held at the <a title="SJVC Victor Valley" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/victor-valley/" target="_blank">Hesperia</a> Library on Sept. 22-24.\r\n\r\nSJVC medical program students, along with four of their instructors and a Department Head, joined students from Victor Valley College and Azusa Pacific University to help educate fair attendees about the importance of healthy skin and proper wound care.\r\n\r\nNumerous exhibits provided the more than 250 attendees with wound care screenings and demonstrations on how to care for skin to maintain health, wound prevention, wound treatment and advances in wound care.\r\n\r\n“The people that came through the exhibits were looking for answers that, for many of them, were not readily available,” says SJVC student Rebecca Barton. “To see the expressions of concern and relief was just amazing. Knowing that with only a few simple steps we could make such a huge impact on so many lives is something that will never get old. No problem was left unsolved.”\r\n\r\nACHM instructor, Jodie DeSoto was proud of the community service SJVC students provided for this event. Their mission, says Ms. DeSoto was to “enlighten the general community to wound care awareness, along with providing free health screening to the general community of Victor Valley.”\r\n\r\nThis first-time event impacted the students who volunteered every bit as much as those they served at the fair.\r\n\r\nMedical Assisting student, Melissa Cremeans was one of those who deeply felt the importance of the services they were providing.\r\n\r\nWith few attendees in the beginning, Melissa, at Ms. DeSoto’s suggestion, approached passers-by and invited them to enjoy free health screenings and skin care consultations.\r\n\r\n“So many people would make the same response,” says Melissa. “They would say, ‘I feel fine…but maybe I should get checked out.’” “Thankfully, a lot of patients were ok, but unfortunately there were several who needed our help. The look on everyone’s face when they got the results of the glucose, cholesterol and BMI’s, good or bad, was what made it worthwhile for me.”\r\nMelissa’s creative and energetic volunteer work earned her a special award from the St. Mary Wellness Fair for “going above and beyond volunteer duties”.\r\n\r\n“It was so much fun getting a sneak peek into the career I have chosen,” says Melissa. “But most importantly, it was a true gift to be able to help the people we were able to help!”\r\n\r\nCommunity volunteerism is an important aspect of all SJVC Medical, Business and Technical programs and students on each campus contribute a great deal to many community service organizations.', 'Wound Care Awareness Week educates attendees…and students', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'wound-care-awareness-week-educates-attendeesand-students', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/', '2014-10-02 11:54:32', '2014-10-02 18:54:32', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/wound-care-awareness-week-educates-attendeesand-students', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12447, 17, '2013-11-13 10:00:00', '2013-11-13 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1870" align="alignleft" width="183"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1870" title="Lions International Logo" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-12-at-11.37.45-AM.png" alt="Lions International Logo" width="183" height="172" /> The Lions club operates in over 300 countries across the globe.[/caption]\r\n\r\nEven before the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Ontario campus on Oct. 24th, there was the launch of something else pretty exciting on campus. Thirty students from almost every program joined the newly formed <a title="SJVC Ontario" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/ontario/" target="_blank">SJVC Ontario</a> Lion’s Branch Club on campus. Four SJVC staff and faculty joined the parent club.\r\n\r\nThe nearly 100-year old service club is a volunteer-driven organization devoted to community service and humanitarian needs. Lions Club International is the largest service organization in the world, installed in 300 countries and with 1.3 million members world-wide.\r\n\r\nIn more recent years the Lions Club has been installed on many two and four-year college campuses. Because SJVC’s accelerated education programs offer students an A.S. degree in fewer than 2-years, it was a challenge for SJVC students to form a Lions Club.\r\n\r\nBut, SJVC’s Debi Nichols, Division Manager and Andrea Busby, MA instructor, members of Ontario Host Lions Club, were determined to bring the club to SJVC’s Ontario campus as a ‘Branch Club’.\r\n\r\n“Sherrill Hein (Ontario Campus Director) and Richard Matley (Academic Dean) loved the idea and encouraged us to go forward,” says Debi Nichols. So they went to work with Sheila Casteel, their club’s District Governor, and found a way to make it happen.\r\n\r\n“Our campus club acts as an extension of our Ontario Lions Club,” says Debi Nichols. “SJVC needed a ‘parent club’ to act as liaison to the campus club in order for SJVC to qualify.”\r\n\r\nThe idea caught fire with students and membership expanded overnight. Dental Hygiene student, Britney Fisk says, “I joined so that I could learn what Lions Club does and how I can help my community.”\r\n\r\nThe SJVC Ontario Lions Branch Club will have many opportunities to serve their community, while learning how to conduct meetings, organize events, and develop leadership skills. Student members will attend twice-monthly meetings. They will elect a President, Treasurer and Secretary and learn meeting protocol. A Lions Club member liaison will always be present to guide progress, stir enthusiasm and observe process.\r\n\r\n“It is a great way for them to learn about philanthropy, about giving back,” says Debi. “I want to sit in the back and let them take charge; let them grow and develop as leaders.\r\n\r\nThe tremendous opportunity isn’t lost on student members. “I am really looking forward to being part of projects that help my community and give me a way to teach my kids about giving back,” says Jessica Pinedo, Respiratory Therapy student.\r\n\r\nThe parent club pays each student member’s annual dues for which student members commit to performing at least 20-hours of community service. Lions Club events for which they can volunteer include an annual golf tournament, Christmas baskets (last year 180 baskets were assembled and given to local churches for distribution) and various fundraising activities.\r\n\r\nStudent members will also be charged with finding needs within their own communities for volunteer opportunities.\r\n\r\nCAMA student, Alex Rodriguez says, “I joined because it looks like fun and it will look good on my resume.”\r\n\r\n“The Lions Club doesn’t have to be a group just for older, wealthier, retired or volunteer business people,” says Debi. “With young blood comes muscle, strength, stamina, energy and fresh ideas – and we now have 30 new members to bring that to our club.”\r\n\r\nThe Ontario campus is embracing an idea that they hope will spread to every SJVC campus up and down California and to the benefit of the communities each serves. The prototype is in motion.', 'The Lion’s roar to life', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'the-lions-roar-to-life', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:54:49', '2014-10-02 18:54:49', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/the-lions-roar-to-life', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12448, 17, '2013-11-18 10:00:00', '2013-11-18 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1891" align="alignleft" width="290"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1891" title="Student Heather Howell" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-14-at-9.16.26-AM-290x290.png" alt="Student Heather Howell" width="290" height="290" /> Heather was tired of working as a security guard, before deciding to enroll in the Pharmacy Technology program.[/caption]\r\n\r\nHeather Howell was not certain she could handle the rigors of going back to school. Almost 20-years since she graduated from high school and lots of start-and-stop college credits, she wasn’t sure she could do the whole classroom, study, exam thing again. She was sure, however, that her job in security – as a “mall cop” – was wearing her down.\r\n\r\n“It was my job to ‘observe and report’, which meant that I spent a lot of time looking for someone doing something wrong,” says Heather. “There was a lot of negativity and I started to be a negative person, and I didn’t want to be that.”\r\n\r\nShe has had a long line of security and law enforcement positions. Over the years Heather provided armed security for NASA and a hospital, and spent about 7-years as a 911 Dispatch Operator for the CA Highway Patrol. It was a life of dealing with a lot of people making or having a very bad day. She felt the need for a change, something completely out of this dynamic.\r\n\r\nHeather became interested in working in the medical field when her mom, Pam, found out she had breast cancer 3-years ago. Although her mom is now in remission, Heather was influenced by her mom’s treatment and experience and felt she could do something to benefit someone with health issues.\r\n\r\nHeather wasn’t sure she could handle direct patient care, so she thought that a career in the pharmaceutical industry might give her the level of serving others she could enjoy. With her decision made, she hit Google to see what kinds of career training programs were out there.\r\n\r\nHer first foray into a Pharmacy Technology career training program was not what Heather wanted.\r\n“There was a lot of pressure to enroll that day,” says Heather. “I just felt like a number and they didn’t really pay attention to what I needed.”\r\n\r\nBack to Google. Heather found SJVC’s <a title="SJVC Antelope Valley" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/" target="_blank">Lancaster campus</a> and made an appointment.\r\n\r\n“The campus was nice and new, and I could walk there if I had to,” says Heather. “They encouraged me to enroll too, but I didn’t feel pressured.” From Google to enrollment, it only took her a week to decide.\r\n\r\nHeather wanted to test the waters of her education re-entry with the 7-month certificate PT program. If all goes well she plans to re-up for seven more months to get her A.S. degree.\r\n\r\nShe has been in the program 3-months now. “This just feels so right,” she says. “Every day I’m happy and looking forward to the day.”\r\n\r\nClasses are going well and Heather is making strong academic strides. She received her first award for Academic Excellence with a 4.0 GPA, as well as Perfect Attendance.\r\n\r\n“I’d never had a 4.0 – ever!” she says. “I was so proud of that, and my Mom and Dad (Tony) were incredibly excited about it.”\r\n\r\nHeather’s mom is her biggest supporter and recently when Heather was sick and had to miss a day of school Pam said to her, “Well, there goes your perfect attendance.” Once a mom, always a mom.\r\n\r\nHeather’s excellent grades haven’t faltered even after her 10-year old laptop computer sputtered out. Still working part-time, she manages to get to school early enough to use student center computers to complete her assignments.\r\n\r\nOne of the most important aspects Heather brings to her education is a commitment to a strong work ethic.\r\n\r\n“Joel Morgan, Career Services Manager, told us at Orientation, ‘This is your on-the-job-training’, and I’ve never forgotten that,” she says. “I feel that every day when I walk in that this is my job, and I make sure to have my uniform crisp and clean and that I bring that work ethic to the classroom.”\r\n\r\nHer professionalism does not go unnoticed.\r\n\r\n“Heather beams with pride when she walks into class,” says Lindsay Sapp, PT instructor. “Nothing puts a smile on her face more than when she is able to apply her skills both professionally and technically. Her enthusiasm to learn and her generous commitment to her fellow classmates are endless.”\r\n\r\n“Everything is kind of shaping into place,” says Heather. Her new career path is proving straight and smooth.', 'A complete career switch was the right decision', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'a-complete-career-switch-was-the-right-decision', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/', '2014-10-02 11:53:58', '2014-10-02 18:53:58', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/a-complete-career-switch-was-the-right-decision', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12449, 14, '2013-11-22 10:30:00', '2013-11-22 18:30:00', '&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id="attachment_1931" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1931  " title="Physician Assistant Week" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Cropped_photo2-300x206.jpg" alt="Physician Assistant Week" width="300" height="206" /> The Visalia Campus took time to honor those who had served, and continue to serve.[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn early November, a special Veteran’s Day ceremony was held at SJVC <a title="SJVC Visalia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/" target="_blank">Visalia</a>, honoring  U.S. military veterans who attended the school’s <a title="Physician Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/physician-assistant/" target="_blank">Physician Assistant Program</a>.\r\n\r\nNotable attendees included Stewart Anderson, attending on behalf of California Assembly representative Connie Conway, and Bob Sachs, California Physician Assistant Board President.\r\n\r\nA considerable number of veterans are enrolled in the program, but this is hardly surprising given the profession’s history. The first Physician Assistant class at Duke University in 1965 consisted mostly of former U.S. Navy corpsmen.\r\n\r\nSachs took the time to explain that many military medics, veterans of the Vietnam War, had returned home to find few job prospects, despite the medical skills granted by military service. It was with this in mind that the early P.A. programs were created: to prevent the squandering of the talents of veterans.\r\n\r\n“Most of the faculty are veterans,” explains Jed Grant, faculty member. This even includes Don Wright, Visalia SJVC Campus Director. An Annapolis graduate, he served in the Navy for 30 years, flying over 200 combat missions in Vietnam, until eventual receiving his own command. Now, he manages a campus where fellow veterans can learn the skills they need to join the civilian workforce as medical personnel.\r\n\r\nThe highlight of the day was the presence of veterans from every major American conflict since the Second World War. There were veterans of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Among these soldiers was Ben Hagams, a courier from the U.S. Army deployed to the Pacific Theater in WWII. Acceding to the wishes of all present, Hagams approached the podium and gave a short speech, detailing his experience in the war.\r\n\r\nAs a messenger, he was captured by the Japanese and sent to a P.O.W. camp, but not before many of his fellow prisoners fell ill and died in the poor conditions. When he was finally rescued, he weighed only 56 pounds. He was sent back to an American military hospital, where he stayed for a year and a half, until he fully recovered.\r\n\r\n“I have nothing but praise for the military and its nurses and doctors,” said Hagams.\r\n\r\nSJVC is thankful for the service of its veterans, and the service they will continue to provide as graduates of the Physician Assistant Program. A mere weekend before Veteran’s day, respect was owed.\r\n\r\n“This is our community, “said student Mario Lemus. “This is what we represent.”', 'Visalia Campus honors veterans in the Physician Assistant Program', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'visalia-campus-honors-veterans-in-the-physician-assistant-program', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:53:42', '2014-10-02 18:53:42', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia-campus-honors-veterans-in-the-physician-assistant-program', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12450, 17, '2013-11-27 10:00:00', '2013-11-27 18:00:00', '<img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1937" title="The Criminal Justice Team" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DSC_5962-copy-300x199.jpg" alt="The Criminal Justice Team" width="300" height="199" />Visalia campus <a title="Criminal Justice: Corrections program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/criminal-justice-corrections/" target="_blank">Criminal Justice</a> students got to mix it up with about 250 other Region 1 CJ students from California, Hawaii, Idaho, Washington, Nevada and Oregon this Oct. at their annual Criminal Justice Fraternity conference held this year in Rancho Cordova.\r\n\r\nThe 3-day conference was broken down into registration and mixer, fierce competition courses and, on the third day, guest speakers and an awards banquet.\r\n\r\nThe Lambda Alpha Epsilon is a Criminal Justice Fraternity was started to improve the criminal justice system through educational activities that might foster professionalism and promote higher education and professional training. The annual regional conference is organized by the National American Criminal Justice Association/LAE.\r\n\r\nVisalia’s six CJ students were ready to rumble when it came to the academic and physical challenges of the competition, which included a physical agility course, shooting skills (rifle and handgun), CSI competition, and four written exams. Attending students and instructor were:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Michael Acosta</li>\r\n	<li>Brenda Ramos</li>\r\n	<li>Eloisa Lopez</li>\r\n	<li>Guadalupe Romero</li>\r\n	<li>Adrian Perez</li>\r\n	<li>Victoria Whitendale</li>\r\n	<li>Laura Lathrop (CJ instructor)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a title="SJVC Visalia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/" target="_blank">SJVC Visalia</a> cadet Michael Acosta scored a First Place trophy in the Juvenile Law exam and CJ instructor and Club Advisor, Laura Lathrop, got into the action, as well, with a Second Place medal for the Age 43-50 Physical Agility course.\r\n\r\n“The experience was fantastic,” says CJ student Michael Acosta. “We made memories that will last forever. We made friends from all over who also shared the interest and passion in the criminal justice system.”\r\n\r\nOver 500 schools are members of the American Criminal Justice Association and CJ students and graduates everywhere are already gearing up for the national conference to be held in Kansas City, Missouri next March.\r\n\r\n“These conferences are great networking opportunities for our students who can meet other students, as well as graduates who are now in the CJ field,” says Laura Lathrop. “They can look at them and say, ‘I could do that’, or ‘I never thought about this as a job,’” she says.\r\n\r\nConferences are a great way for students to hone their knowledge and skills and come back with a little better idea of where they might want to direct their talents.', 'CJ students throw down at regional conference', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'cj-students-throw-down-at-regional-conference', '', 'http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/criminal-justice-corrections/', '2014-10-02 11:53:09', '2014-10-02 18:53:09', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/cj-students-throw-down-at-regional-conference', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12451, 17, '2013-12-03 10:00:00', '2013-12-03 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1944" align="alignleft" width="205"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1944" title="Robin McCracken" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Robin-SJVC-cropped-205x300.jpg" alt="Robin McCracken" width="205" height="300" /> From a young age, Robin has decided to devote her life to helping people.[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of Robin McCracken’s favorite quotes is by Erin Gruwell from the movie, <i>Freedom Writers</i>: “When I’m helping these kids make sense of their life, everything about my life makes sense to me.” As a General Education instructor for the Modesto campus, Robin is quite attuned to the symbiotic nature of the learning process.\r\n\r\nRobin knew from a very early age that she had a gift. It was her mother, Alycia, who helped her to bring that inspired gift of teaching forward.\r\n\r\nGrowing up, Robin’s older brother had special needs during a time when public education did not have the accommodations it has today. Robin’s mother made it Robin’s responsibility to help teach him.\r\n\r\n“I quickly learned that if he didn’t understand something, I was the one who failed, not him,” she says.\r\n\r\nSo began a lifelong commitment, a compulsion really, to help others find their way to their own understanding, as well as their passion for learning. Having spent many years as a teacher, educational counselor, and administrator, her mission has always been clear.\r\n\r\n“I want to inspire, motivate those who struggle,” says McCracken, “whether it is my students or other teachers who are trying to become better at what they are doing.”\r\n\r\nIt is a testament to Robin’s own passion for teaching and the success with which she expresses it that students on the Modesto campus have requested many times that she speak at their graduation ceremonies. It is an honor that Robin takes wholly to heart.\r\n\r\n“When I speak, I spend a great deal of time preparing my mind and my heart for the journey,” she says. “I consider it a privilege and an honor that I don’t enter into lightly.”\r\n\r\nThe results of Robin’s efforts do not go unnoticed. “Robin’s popularity amongst the students can be measured by the roaring applause she receives as she takes the podium at the commencement ceremony,” says Sean Hancock, Campus Director.\r\n\r\n“It’s crazy, isn’t it,” says Robin, who laughs that, “It is probably more about my name.” “You know, ‘What’s crackin’, McCracken?’”\r\n\r\nIn the classroom Robin projects a thoughtful balance of speaking and listening that promotes the greatest opportunity for clear communication and learning to take place. That skill does not come without mindful discipline and practice. Whether addressing a classroom, an auditorium of graduates or an individual, she places great importance on the message, exchange and outcome. Her students thrive in this environment.\r\n\r\nRobin’s goal in the classroom is to help her students to “see their own worth, to remain teachable for the rest of their lives and to feel empowered as the result of gaining knowledge,” she says. “I want them to hear my heart.”\r\n\r\nThat does not mean that their learning experience has to be all work and no play.\r\n\r\n“I love to make learning fun,” says McCracken, “because I don’t want to be bored teaching it!”\r\n\r\nOne of her greatest rewards is to hear from graduates she has helped to prepare for life after <a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu" target="_blank">SJVC</a>. The cards, emails and visits from students she taught, guided and inspired, are steady.\r\n\r\n“When a graduate shares that, because of my influence, they want to go on and become a teacher or counselor, it touches me,” says Robin. “But, teaching is not a one-way street,” she emphasizes. “I am truly the learner.”\r\n\r\nRobin’s learning continues as she is currently completing a Doctorate in Educational Administrative Leadership. Her own children, Heath, Alyssa and Brandon, along with her mother, are her greatest sources of motivation and inspiration.\r\n\r\nAn admitted ‘over thinker’, Robin replenishes her spirit by doing just that – exquisite contemplation. “I always have a quiet reflection on my actions and speech,” she offers. A walk in the woods, with a preferred mountain backdrop, is where she finds those moments that refill her spirit and regenerate her passion.\r\n\r\nIt is a good bet that in those moments she tells herself that same truth she often presses upon her students: “Rise up and take your place; it is time.', 'General Ed instructor born to inspire and be inspired', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'general-ed-instructor-born-to-inspire-and-be-inspired', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:52:38', '2014-10-02 18:52:38', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/general-ed-instructor-born-to-inspire-and-be-inspired', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12452, 14, '2013-11-28 10:00:00', '2013-11-28 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1949" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1949 " title="Lionel Smith" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SV200770-copy2-300x196.jpg" alt="Lionel Smith" width="300" height="196" /> Lionel has spent most of his life around planes, and it doesn''t look like that''ll end any time soon.[/caption]\r\n\r\nLionel Smith is far from ordinary. He is a man with a passion, and a career capable of turning that fiery interest into useful expertise in the minds of his students.\r\n\r\nIt all began with the Navy, many years ago. A mere two days out of high school, Lionel enlisted.\r\n\r\n“I had never even touched a plane before,” said Lionel.\r\n\r\nDuring this time, he was part of the flight crew for a P-3 Orion, tasked with tracking submerged Soviet submarines. He worked with planes, but didn’t have the authorization to fix them himself. He could only inspect the aircraft, then “write the gripes”, leaving the real work of repair and maintenance to others. So, after 26 years of military service, he returned to civilian life.\r\n\r\nHe enrolled in SJVC’s <a title="Aviation Maintenance Technology program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-maintenance-technology/" target="_blank">Aviation Program</a>. After spending most of his life around planes, Lionel could hardly turn his back on them. As a student, he excelled, so much so that the school sought him for employment after his graduation.\r\n\r\n“I offered him a job the day he graduated,” said SJVC <a title="SJVC Aviation" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/aviation-campus/" target="_blank">Aviation Campus</a> Academic Dean Jason Alves. “And he took it.”\r\n\r\nThis week will mark Lionel’s 3<sup>rd</sup> year having worked as an instructor at SJVC. During such time he taught many of the things prospective mechanics would need to learn. He teaches about sheet metal, air-frame maintenance, hydraulics, avionics and instruments, all vital aspects of aviation maintenance.\r\n\r\nAfter Lionel was hired, the Dean gave him two goals to work towards. The first was to attain his Private Pilot’s License. Lionel succeeded, making him the only faculty member at the SJVC Aviation campus to have one. Secondly, Alves tasked Lionel with getting the coveted Inspection Authorization.\r\n\r\n“This is the highest honor you can get from the FAA, as a mechanic,” Alves explains.\r\n\r\nOnly 1 in 4 takers pass the grueling test. Passing allows the mechanic the exclusive privilege to conduct an aircraft’s annual inspection. Every plane needs it, but only they can provide it. After a plane undergoes major repairs, another inspection is needed, and only the Inspection Authorized can do it. Suffice it to say, Lionel passed. It took two months of studying, but it paid off. Lionel was now among that 25%, that precious few.\r\n\r\nSuch an accolade might very well be a great responsibility, but it has its perks.\r\n\r\n“You’ll never have to worry about not having a job,” says Alves.\r\n\r\nBut Lionel has little interest in leaving the school. SJVC is like a family to him. His wife, normally a schoolteacher at Lemoore Elementary, teaches general education requirements for SJVC in the summer. Lionel’s son attended the program as well, learning the tools of the trade just as his father had. He is now employed, fixing aircraft.\r\n\r\nBut Lionel’s interest in aviation doesn’t stop with the end of the work day. A member of the Lemoore Navy Flying Club, he hones his trade on the weekends, helping maintain the club’s three planes.\r\n\r\nLionel simply loves working with planes.\r\n\r\n“It’s in my blood," he says.', 'Flying is in this SJVC instructor''s blood', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'flying-is-in-this-sjvc-instructors-blood', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:52:55', '2014-10-02 18:52:55', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/flying-is-in-this-sjvc-instructors-blood', 0, 'post', '', 0);
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(12453, 17, '2013-12-10 10:00:00', '2013-12-10 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1958" align="alignleft" width="225"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1958 " title="Adamina McKenzie" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_1715-copy-225x300.jpg" alt="Adamina McKenzie" width="225" height="300" /> Adamina''s passion is her work, to which she brings a positive attitude and genuine care.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAdamina McKenzie is the kind of person you want in your corner. She will be your strongest advocate. She is the sister you always wished you had, the mama bear who fights for your security, and the coach who pushes you to dig deeper to find your own strength.\r\n\r\nThat means, as a Career Services Advisor at the <a title="SJVC Victor Valley" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/victor-valley/" target="_blank">Hesperia campus</a>, Adamina is in the perfect position to help students and graduates develop job search skills in order to show their greatest potential to prospective employers. Many of her colleagues agree.\r\n\r\n<em>EDIT: Shortly after the writing of this story, Adamina transitioned to Career Service Manager at SJVC Hesperia.</em>\r\n\r\n“Every day Adamina brings a positive attitude, incredible drive and resourcefulness to the department and our campus,” says Melanie Blackwell, Campus Director, who hired Adamina in February.\r\n\r\nAdamina hits the ground running each day. The Career Services team of three plans their goals and activities around providing effective job search assistance to students on the threshold of graduation, as well as building relationships with their future employers. They groom students and graduates in the art of making a good impression – both on their resumes and in-person – along with negotiating salaries, communicating effectively, demonstrating their knowledge and skills, and projecting confidence. Adamina is a natural mentor.\r\n\r\n“It’s my passion, and if you’re really passionate about something, you’ll give it your all,” says Adamina. “I believe our students want a career, not a job. I make sure that employers know that, and that it is a win-win situation when they hire our graduates.”\r\n\r\nRecently Adamina persuaded a correctional facility that was reopening, with 100 positions to fill, to conduct interviews for new Correction Officers at the college campus. “They interviewed 50 candidates that day and eventually made offers to 28 of our CJC students and graduates,” says Melanie Blackwell. “And now that their Correctional Officer positions are filled, they will be looking at our Business Administration, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology graduates to fill needs within their facility.”\r\n\r\nA humble person, Adamina emphasizes the team effort that went in to making this mass placement so successful, as she also credits the skill level of those who were hired. “At the end of the day it’s the graduates who get the job for themselves,” she says. “We just provide the tools for them to be successful during the interview; they do the rest.”\r\n\r\nCriminal Justice Corrections Program Director, Mike Stewart had his own thoughts about the mass hiring’s source of momentum. “The CJ staff and cadets are privileged and honored to have Adamina in the community doing what she does best.”\r\n\r\nAdamina’s favorite moments are centered on student success stories. For her, it is personal. Their success is her success.\r\n\r\nOne story involves a CJC program student who, with Career Services help, landed an ideal position with great pay and benefits…and promptly decided to leave the CJ program. She felt her ultimate goal had been achieved and wanted to begin to enjoy the rewards of her efforts.\r\n\r\n“She was scheduled to graduate after only one more module,” says Adamina. “I explained to her that she would be more of an asset to the company with that degree. She agreed to finish and now she’s going to graduate in December. I’m so proud of her.”\r\n\r\nAdamina gives much of herself to her work and all those around her. She makes sure she has people close by who help replenish her spirit and cheer her on. Her husband, Elliott and their three young boys enthusiastically fill that role.\r\n\r\n“My husband is my hero,” says Adamina. “He boosts me up every morning before I go to work and is the perfect person to go to when I’m not sure about something. And, the boys give me a ‘Go mommy!’”\r\n\r\nThere are other resources that come into perfect play. “I do a lot of yoga and meditation,” says Adamina. “I read and apply <i>The Secret </i>and meditate on my Vision Board. It’s a ritual in a sense, but I don’t go so far as chanting,” she laughs. Although, if she did, it would definitely be “Let’s manifest! Let’s do this!” she says.\r\n\r\nGratitude constantly weaves its way into Adamina’s thoughts, expressions and spirit. “It definitely takes a team,” she says. “I am so thankful for Anthony Romo (Corporate Director of Career Services), Adriana Ruiz (Career Services Specialist) Melanie Blackwell, Mike Stewart and (colleagues) Kalisha Gessesse and Ashley Voss.”\r\n\r\n“I’m telling you, it’s just so rewarding,” she enthuses. “Employers continue to come back to us and students continue to trust me.” What more could you want.', 'SJVC Students and Grads are in good hands', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sjvc-students-and-grads-and-in-good-hands', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:50:56', '2014-10-02 18:50:56', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-students-and-grads-and-in-good-hands', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12454, 17, '2013-12-05 10:00:00', '2013-12-05 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1970" align="alignleft" width="159"]<img class=" wp-image-1970  " title="Deana Bates" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1234107_10200625983873985_1703833659_n-227x300.jpg" alt="Deana Bates" width="159" height="210" /> This year was a big one for Bates and her family, with lots of life-altering changes.[/caption]\r\n\r\nDeana Bates started this year with two life-altering decisions: weight loss surgery and college. Her interest in helping others through a career in the medical field forced a realization. At 240-lbs. it was not practical for Deana to be “constantly moving around with patients,” performing the physical requirements of a position in healthcare. She also knew that her constant back pain would be stressed beyond the limit.\r\n\r\n“You can’t really tell people to be healthy if you’re unhealthy,” says Deana, adding the psychological element.\r\n\r\nShe had the weight loss surgery in January and enrolled in SJVC’s <a title="Medical Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/medical-assistant/" target="_blank">CMA certificate</a> program in April. In the last 10-months Deana has lost 85-lbs. She also just completed her <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/" target="_blank">Online program</a> with a 4.0 GPA and beginning-to-end inclusion on the Dean’s List. She does not feel as though she accomplished this on her own, however.\r\n\r\n“SJVC has been an amazing experience,” says Deana. “I never would have been able to do this without the support I got from my teachers and advisors.”\r\n\r\nFirst in her family to go to college, Deana earned her success, as well as effusive praise for her efforts. “Deana sets the example of what an online student should be, in the way that she engages in class with other students, as well as her instructors,” says Pam Soto, Student Advisor. The whole online experience surprised Deana.\r\n\r\n“I got the same education I would have gotten if I was sitting in a classroom with 50-students,” she says about the  “thorough coursework”. “But, I was still able to take care of my children, my family; and that was so important.”\r\n\r\nDeana’s husband, Kenneth, and their four children ages 6 to 11, have been in her corner all the way. It could not have been easy for Kenneth who, as a beverage delivery person, starts his work-day at 1:30 AM and does not usually get home until early afternoon.\r\n\r\n“I wanted to help my husband take care of us and contribute more to our family,” says Deana. “We wanted to get out of living paycheck-to-paycheck.”\r\n\r\nThe Bates’ are closing out this year in a very different place than where they started. That is especially true for Deana whose transition from a size 22 to a size 10-12 is life and mood altering. Bouts of depression and low-energy are in the rear-view mirror now; and when she looks into a real mirror she see’s into the future.\r\n\r\n“Looking in the mirror, I don’t recognize the person looking back at me,” says Deana. “Seeing myself now, I can wonder what I want to do for the rest of my life.” Many more career doors are open.\r\n\r\nDeana worked for a group of cardiologists during her externship and developed a strong affinity for that specialty. She has her hopes pinned on a local heart hospital where she lives in Chandler, TX and will focus her job search there after the first of the year. Deana’s extern site manager has already agreed to write a recommendation for her.\r\n\r\n“Deana will make an excellent CMA,” says instructor Carol Williams. “Her contribution to her new employer will consist of respect, honesty, dependability and compassion, to name a few.”\r\n\r\nNext year might prove to be on equal ground with the positive changes of this year. The Bates’ hope to move to a new house where they can finally enjoy the comforts of their shared commitments and sacrifices. If, after a while, they want to stretch even higher, Deana has a quiet plan.\r\n\r\n“I want to go back to school and become an R.N.,” she says. “But, right now I don’t want to miss out on anything while the kids are little.”', 'Clinical Medical Assisting student makes big changes', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'clinical-medical-assisting-student-makes-big-changes-2', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:51:58', '2014-10-02 18:51:58', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/clinical-medical-assisting-student-makes-big-changes-2', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12455, 17, '2013-12-06 10:00:00', '2013-12-06 18:00:00', '&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id="attachment_1980" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1980  " title="Temecula''s Pink Puffers" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/FOT8C8C2-300x163.jpg" alt="Temecula''s Pink Puffers" width="300" height="163" /> SJVC Temecula''s team managed to win 3rd place in the national Sputum Bowl.[/caption]\r\n\r\nEver since Hesperia’s <i>Pink Puffers </i>brought home a 1<sup>St</sup> Place victory in last May’s State Sputum Bowl competition, the team has been in intense training for the National stage. “They worked very hard these last few months to prepare themselves to compete on a national level,” says William Hall, <a title="SJVC Temecula" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula/" target="_blank">Temecula</a> RT Program Director.\r\n\r\nTeam members <b>Cheryl Stansbury</b>, <b>Ian Peterson</b>, <b>Anthony Cocilova</b> and <b>Alyssa Reber</b>, along with <b>coach Shannon Cocilova</b>, drilled each other on questions they might anticipate during the heated rounds against <a title="Respiratory Therapy program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/" target="_blank">Respiratory Therapy</a> students from all over the nation. They were secure in their knowledge and skill level, as well as their strong teamwork.\r\n\r\nThe National Convention and Sputum Bowl competition took place in Anaheim November 16-19 at the Convention Center. The student competition was comprised of 18-college teams of 4-students each, all poised to take the Winner’s Circle.\r\n\r\nSJVC’s <i>Pink Puffers</i> was undefeated going into the final rounds on the last night of the conference, finally losing out in the single-elimination contest.\r\n\r\nThe <i>Puffers</i> did not come home empty-handed, however. Not only did they secure Third Place in the Bowl, their competitors voted them to receive the Fred M. Helmholz Sportsmanship Award.\r\n\r\n“This sportsmanship award is a testament to the fact that they played well, worked well together and interacted with competitive teams in an honorable and professional manner,” says Hall. “We are very proud of their performance.”\r\n\r\nThe four-day conference was an opportunity for students, RT graduates and RT professionals in the field to meet, share information and sharpen knowledge and skills. The conference drew thousands from across the nation to hear lectures from leaders in the field and visit vendor booths presenting the latest respiratory care technology.\r\n\r\n“This was a great experience for our students,” says Hall. “And, because of their win, they will be known all over the state and the nation.”\r\n\r\nTheir 3<sup>rd</sup> Place win and Sportsmanship Award will also fit nicely on future resumes.', 'Temecula Respiratory Therapy Sputum Bowl Team competes nationally', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'temecula-respiratory-therapy-sputum-bowl-team-competes-nationally', '', 'http://www.sjvc.edu/respiratory-therapy/\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/temecula/', '2014-10-02 11:51:26', '2014-10-02 18:51:26', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula-respiratory-therapy-sputum-bowl-team-competes-nationally', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12456, 17, '2013-12-05 11:00:00', '2013-12-05 19:00:00', '<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Modesto-tshirt-sales-ORIGINAL.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1477" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Modesto-tshirt-sales-ORIGINAL.jpg" alt="SJVC Facebook Photo" width="290" height="290" /></a>December T-shirt sales will benefit students at the <a title="SJVC Antelope Valley" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/" target="_blank">Lancaster campus</a> in a very personal way.\r\n\r\nTheir Christmas Angel Tree will glitter with little paper angels that many students-in-need hope will be chosen by someone willing to make their child’s holiday a little brighter. Each paper angel is a request for a small gift for a boy or girl, each making their own sacrifices for a parent to be in school.\r\n\r\nEach anonymous paper angel will indicate a child’s gender and wish for any one of three items listed.  The real-life angel (benefactor) will pick an angel, decide on the gift and bring the purchase to the campus Student Relief Fund where the gift will be matched to the child and wrapped for the student/parent to pick up before the holiday break.\r\n\r\nThe Student Relief Fund will use the proceeds from December t-shirt sales to supplement those gift requests already met by staff, faculty and students.\r\n\r\n“Our students are working so hard in class that we hope this is something that helps them during this time of year,” says Victoria Gutierrez, Dean of Student Services/Academic Dean.\r\n\r\nMany students struggle to make ends meet while going to school, and appreciate any assistance that can be provided – especially if it benefits their children. The holidays can be particularly difficult for everybody.\r\n\r\nEach month $1.00 from every sale of a ‘motivational’ tee benefits a different campus. And, sales are going great for these popular tees with messages of commitment, inspiration, humor and insight. They are particularly popular to wear for dress-down days and SJVC casual events.\r\n\r\nEveryone can help the Lancaster campus raise money for their Student Relief Fund. Browse the selections at <a href="https://wwwfacebook.com/sjvcs/app%20515661228485859">https://wwwfacebook.com/sjvcs/app 515661228485859</a>.  T-shirts can be purchased for $6.00, using PayPal or a credit card on SJVC’s Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sjvcs">www.facebook.com/sjvcs</a>.  There is no charge for shipping if you pick up your purchase at your career services office; otherwise it is $4.00 to send it elsewhere. SJVC is selling the T-shirts to you at cost – plus a dollar donation to a fellow campus.\r\n\r\nLet’s show some support for our students whose children need just a little more holiday spirit…SJVC style!', 'Angels are hard at work on the Lancaster campus', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'angels-are-hard-at-work-on-the-lancaster-campus', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:51:43', '2014-10-02 18:51:43', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/angels-are-hard-at-work-on-the-lancaster-campus', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12457, 14, '2013-12-17 10:00:00', '2013-12-17 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1992" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1992 " title="Tekla Patton with her husband" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1-300x237.jpg" alt="Tekla Patton with her husband" width="300" height="237" /> This Online Campus faculty member does her best to remove the distance between student and advisor.[/caption]\r\n\r\nIs a Student Advisor for an online program meant to be just a title, a distant and aloof figure that merely sends an email every few months? Well, Tekla Patton does not think so.\r\n\r\nAs a student advisor for the SJVC <a title="SJVC Online" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/" target="_blank">Online Campus</a>, Tekla is there for her students. When they have questions, she can answer them. When they need a little nudge to stay on track, in line with program requirements and on top of their grades, students look to her. If a student needs tutoring, she is the one to go to.\r\n\r\nThanks to the nature of online programs, her students can be local, or in places very distant. SJVC’s Online Students do their coursework from places as far away as New York, and there are even a few students out of country, whether they are American military deployed overseas or otherwise. And yet, despite the many miles separating Visalia and these many places, Tekla is there to help.\r\n\r\n“It’s really cool to reach out to students,” says Tekla.\r\n\r\nHer duties also include preparing those newly enrolled in the program with student orientation.\r\n\r\nThough Tekla has been working for<a title="SJVC" href="http://www.sjvc.edu" target="_blank"> SJVC</a> for two and a half years, her history in the education sector is longer still. First, she was an academic advisor at Bakersfield College. After moving to Visalia, she was hired at College of the Sequoias. Finally, she would join SJVC as Student Center Coordinator.\r\n\r\nBut Tekla has a special qualification for her position: her own educational background. A Master’s Degree in Counseling allows her to reach out to students even more in her position. Beyond simply keeping students up to date with steps to graduation, she can work with them more closely, and in a more personal capacity.\r\n\r\nHer care and understanding are lifesavers for students in times of crisis. She is not merely their advisor, but a friend. If difficulties arise in students’ lives, Tekla can help.\r\n\r\n“She knows the students for who they are,” says Online Campus Dean of Student Services Alyssa Perry.\r\n\r\nUnsurprisingly, her students like her. Her optimism is comforting. They say she is involved, genuinely interested in their lives, and concerned for their problems. When they talk, their conversations are not limited to the topics of SJVC and the program. She is even Facebook friends with them.\r\n\r\nBut Tekla is hardly content to perform the duties of her position, as well as she does. She serves beyond the call, being a member of both SJVC’s Holiday Planning and Diversity Committees. To fund the Online Campus holiday party, she auctioned off festive baskets.\r\n\r\nShe always knew she wanted to teach in some way, to help people, and this is just the way she does it.\r\n\r\nAs for her future, Tekla is pretty happy where she is.\r\n\r\n“I don’t see myself going anywhere anytime soon.”', 'Online Student Advisor reaches out', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'online-student-advisor-reaches-out', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-online/', '2014-10-02 11:20:55', '2014-10-02 18:20:55', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/online-student-advisor-reaches-out', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12458, 14, '2013-12-09 10:00:00', '2013-12-09 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_1999" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1999 " title="Vania Fune with State Senator Joel Anderson" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1070519-copy-300x168.jpg" alt="Vania Fune with State Senator Joel Anderson" width="300" height="168" /> This State Senator''s office now has two more inhabitants: SJVC B.A. students.[/caption]\r\n\r\nBusiness internships are wrought with fierce competition. Many individuals look to get a leg up in the business world and SJVC students act with diligence to earn their spots.\r\n\r\nTemecula <a title="Business Administration program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/business-administration/" target="_blank">Business Administration</a> students Vania Fune and Liya Brykova are no exception. Both students had the good luck- or good resumes more likely- to be chosen for internships with California State Senator Joel Anderson’s office.\r\n\r\n“This is a rare opportunity,” says Melissa Cotter, General Education Instructor at <a title="SJVC Temecula" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/temecula/" target="_blank">Temecula</a>.\r\n\r\nCotter is very excited for her students. Their jobs will not involve coffee runs and busy work, but doing the same things they would be doing in a business office environment. Among their duties will be answering phone calls, writing emails to constituents, representing the Senator at public events, and more.\r\n\r\nThe real lesson learnt from all of this is probably the most important one to be learned for business: networking. Professionalism is key, from dressing appropriately to speaking and writing formally, as well as eloquently. Political work can be a valuable mentor in helping a business student learn the ways of professional communication.\r\n\r\nDespite working for the Senator for less than a month, Fune is already feeling the benefits of the experience.\r\n\r\n“It has given me the confidence to work in a business-like environment,” says Vania.\r\n\r\nThe internship is a perfect accompaniment to their studies. It does not conflict with the 14 month business program, as the hours can be tailored to fit the students’ schedules, ensuring that the program stays at the forefront.\r\n\r\nVania and Liya are also able to choose particular areas of focus, from marketing, community events, or more, tailoring the internship precisely to their prospective career interests.\r\n\r\n“It’s an amazing chance to learn, develop skills, and just to get yourself out there,” says Liya.\r\n\r\nCotter hopes that opportunities like these help students decide what they want to do with their lives after completing their program.\r\n\r\n“When they come in and are young they don’t know exactly what to do,” says Cotter. “But when they leave, they know what they want to do.”\r\n\r\nBesides, while a degree is very important, first-hand experience is desirable as well. This experience will undoubtedly look quite appealing in the eyes future employers. This job will only reinforce the lessons taught by SJVC.\r\n\r\nThis internship is great,” says Vania. “It provides me with experience to succeed in the business world.”', 'Business Administration Students right at home in political office', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'politics-another-name-for-business', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/temecula/', '2014-10-02 11:51:12', '2014-10-02 18:51:12', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/politics-another-name-for-business', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12459, 14, '2013-12-12 10:30:00', '2013-12-12 18:30:00', '[caption id="attachment_2012" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-2012 " title="December 6th''s Toy Drive" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/photo-copy-300x224.jpg" alt="December 6th''s Toy Drive" width="300" height="224" /> Ontario''s students and faculty have been hard at work in their community this holiday season.[/caption]\r\n\r\n<a title="SJVC Ontario" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/ontario/" target="_blank">SJVC’s Ontario</a> campus has been very busy this holiday season. Students and staff have contributed to different charitable pursuits, intent on making a difference in this season of giving.\r\n\r\nThe first of these charitable efforts is a toy drive. In association with <a title="Spark of Love" href="http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/feature?id=7778455" target="_blank">ABC7 and the Spark of Love Foundation</a>, SJVC students have bought and donated toys for kids who might otherwise have to gone without. On Friday the 6<sup>th</sup>, 300 volunteers, including students and the ABC news crew, fanned out to collect unwrapped presents to distribute to local needy children.\r\n\r\nOne Respiratory Therapy student could only marvel at the effort, impressed by the sheer numbers and dedication of her fellow students, saying, “Wow, this is really amazing.”\r\n\r\nThe second was a clothing drive. Students and faculty collected sweatshirts, blankets, anything warm. These would be donated to local shelters to help keep the holidays a little warmer for those in rough times.\r\n\r\nSJVC students alone managed to collect 60 jackets of all sizes to be donated at St. Bernadine’s Hospital. The staff was quite thankful, as before the students’ donations, their jackets numbered only 20.\r\n\r\nStudents from the local chapters of both the HOSA and NTHS clubs participated. These were the same students who, back in November, went on to volunteer their services to the Salvation Army and feed the homeless for Thanksgiving.\r\n\r\n“The entire purpose for both of these clubs is to make a difference in the community,” says Yvette Savala, CMA instructor and advisor to both clubs. “I hope by doing this they will continue to be productive members of the community and be an example to others.”\r\n\r\nLastly, SJVC Ontario has been chosen as 1 of 20 schools to help in the <a title="Let''s Can Hunger" href="http://www.letscanhunger.com/" target="_blank">Let’s Can Hunger</a> program. Sponsored by the Campbell’s soup company, this drive relies on the work and competitive spirit of local Enactus club members.\r\n\r\nThe ultimate goal is to get 20,000 non-perishable food items before March. Students will be able to choose where exactly they wish to donate the food they collect, whether that be local community organizations or even fellow students in difficult times.\r\n\r\nSo far, they have received 382 cans and $217 dollars. Most of these donations were given to needy Ontario students. Those 10 students would otherwise not have been able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal.\r\n\r\nEnactus is an international non-profit aimed at students of higher education who want to better their communities. Across 39 different countries, college students compete with one another to donate more and make an even greater difference in the lives of the needy.\r\n\r\n“Our students here in Ontario are very giving and understanding of the need for generosity, especially in this holiday season,” says Ontario Dean of Student Services.\r\n\r\nThe best part is that, no matter which campus wins, everybody wins.', 'One Campus, Three Causes', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'one-campus-three-causes', '', '', '2014-10-02 11:50:39', '2014-10-02 18:50:39', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/one-campus-three-causes', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12460, 14, '2013-12-13 10:00:00', '2013-12-13 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_2017" align="alignleft" width="165"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-2017" title="Admissions Advisor Nia Hajenga with Modesto''s Giving Tree" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/PhotoGrid_1386715535257-1-copy-165x300.jpg" alt="Admissions Advisor Nia Hajenga with Modesto''s Giving Tree" width="165" height="300" /> Both Modesto and Bakerfield have Giving Tree programs to provide for the family''s of students in need.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAcross the state, SJVC campuses have been preparing for the holidays by starting their own charitable programs. A popular one is the Giving Tree, which has popped up at several campuses including <a title="SJVC Bakersfield" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield/" target="_blank">Bakersfield</a> and <a title="SJVC Modesto" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/modesto/" target="_blank">Modesto</a>.\r\n\r\n“It’s just something we do to make our students more welcome,” says Bakersfield Dean of Student Services Melissa Gonzales.\r\n\r\nStarting in November, students and faculty nominate children of families that may not receive presents due to financial stress at home. Often these are the children of SJVC students in need of a little holiday help.\r\n\r\nWish lists are written up for each of the children, listing clothing sizes and gender. With this information, the faculty makes a tag for each child. Tags are then placed on a Christmas tree.\r\n\r\nInstructors have a few weeks to take a tag, or two, and buy that child a gift.\r\n\r\nThis holiday help has become something of a tradition on a few SJVC campuses. <a title="SJVC Antelope Valley" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/antelope-valley/" target="_blank">SJVC Lancaster</a> started their efforts this year and both the Modesto and Bakersfield campuses have been holding Giving Tree programs for several years now.\r\n\r\nIn Modesto, this year’s tree had 28 tags for 28 children. Bakersfield had 38.\r\n\r\nAt least there used to be that many.\r\n\r\nIn Modesto, all of the tags have already been taken, and gifts are being bought -- but not only by faculty. A few students took it upon themselves to take a tag and help out their fellow students’ families.\r\n\r\n”I’m incredibly impressed with our community’s generosity,” said Modesto Evening Dean Alyssa Bahr. She noted that their contributions went “above and beyond” her expectations.\r\n\r\nAfter these couple weeks, the presents will all be collected and one lucky SJVC faculty member will dress up as Santa and give the presents to their intended recipients.\r\n\r\nThe students are very appreciative of their community’s good will.\r\n\r\n“It has enabled me to not worry about not having anything for my son this Christmas,” said one student. “This year is definitely going to be even more special for us because of this amazing opportunity!”\r\n\r\nThe Giving Tree is just one more way SJVC staff and students can help their community and prove themselves the model citizens they are.\r\n\r\n“I’m really proud of my students,” said Alyssa.\r\n\r\nAnd she has great reason to be.', 'The Spirit of Giving', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'the-spirit-of-giving', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield/', '2014-10-02 11:50:24', '2014-10-02 18:50:24', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/the-spirit-of-giving', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12461, 17, '2013-12-16 10:00:00', '2013-12-16 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_2010" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-2010" title="The Race Against Hunger" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_7876b-300x200.jpg" alt="The Race Against Hunger" width="300" height="200" /> Staff from SJVC Visalia joined thousands of other runners in Visalia''s Race Against Hunger.[/caption]\r\n\r\nAlmost 70 <a title="SJVC Visalia" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/" target="_blank">SJVC Visalia</a> Corporate and campus staff, faculty and students postponed Thanksgiving preparations that Thursday morning to join about 3,000 runners, 2,000 walkers and 280 kids in the Visalia Emergency Aid Council’s <i>Race Against Hunger</i>.\r\n\r\n“The energy from the event was amazing!” says Lori Jeffcoach, DA instructor. “It was so much fun; and I think this event will definitely become a tradition for me and my family.”\r\n\r\nTwenty-five Physician Assistant program students, along with various other programs’ students, solicited sponsors for their race that helped raise funds for this event.\r\n\r\nFor nine years the 5k run has been VEAC’s largest event, and provides funds to support those in need in the Visalia community. This year’s race netted approximately $80,000 – almost $10,000 more than last year.\r\n\r\n“All the money raised at this event gets us through the holidays and through June and July”, says Iris East, VEAC Director.\r\n\r\nEighty-two years in business, the Visalia Emergency Aid Council is the largest and oldest food bank in Tulare County and provides emergency services for over 14,000 families each year. Their primary mission is to feed, clothe and give shelter to families with children and to provide a means for others to help those in need. Their food pantry assists over 1,000 families each month, by providing nutritional food, and their VEAC Thrift Store provides free or low-cost clothing, household goods and reconditioned furniture and appliances.\r\n\r\nMonica Urmson, Assistant to <a title="Physician Assistant program" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/physician-assistant/" target="_blank">Physician Assistant</a> Program Director, has been working with the VEAC for about 20-years. “I was taught by my family that no one should ever go without food – especially a child,” she says. Involving Monica’s whole family was important to her to not only help those less fortunate, but to instill in her kids the importance of helping others. “My children have helped out with food and toy distribution, and working the race since they were little.”\r\n\r\nSan Joaquin Valley College has been a strong supporter of the Visalia Emergency Aid Council for over twenty years and is proud of their staff and students for the years of enthusiasm and effort they have contributed.\r\n\r\nThe races on Thanksgiving morning didn’t make a huge demand on the thousands of participants. “The race started at 8:00 AM, and I was home basting the turkey a half-hour later,” says Monica. Her family’s Thanksgiving Day likely felt just a little more blessed.', 'SJVC Visalia Races Against Hunger', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'sjvc-visalia-races-against-hunger', '', '\nhttp://www.sjvc.edu/visalia/', '2014-10-02 11:50:11', '2014-10-02 18:50:11', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/sjvc-visalia-races-against-hunger', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(12462, 17, '2013-12-31 10:00:00', '2013-12-31 18:00:00', '[caption id="attachment_2028" align="alignleft" width="179"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-2028" title="Chris Barger" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_Barger2-179x300.jpg" alt="Chris Barger" width="179" height="300" /> This IT instructor goes out of his way to check up on his former students, to help graduates get jobs in the field.[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/" target="_blank">Fresno campus</a> IT instructor, Chris Barger, his students’ success isn’t measured in program completion, but in full-time employment; and he goes out of his way to help grads realize that outcome. He works steadily with Career Services by providing employer leads, helping to set up student/employer interviews, giving employer background information to students, or starting a dialogue with new IT businesses.\r\n\r\n“I know my students aren’t in my class because I’m the coolest person in the world,” he laughs. “They’re here because they need the tools to support themselves and their families. I just help in any way I can.”\r\n\r\n“Chris is always engaged with his students and really cares about them,” says Christen Rodriguez, Career Services Manager. “He works closely with Career Services to ensure that each and every one of his graduates is placed.”\r\n\r\nHaving earned a BS degree at CSUF, and worked in the automotive industry for 15-years, Chris felt ready to fulfill the plan he had in mind since high school.\r\n\r\n“My program is a little unique for mechanically inclined folks like myself,” says Barger. I’m a gear-head and my students are gear-heads, and this all clicks for them, especially when we get to the hands-on training. It’s a great moment to see that light bulb go off for them.”\r\n\r\nAsked if he had to pick a favorite IT class and subject, Chris did not hesitate.\r\n\r\n“If I had to pick a class it’s <i>Industrial Electricity </i>because it really sets our students ahead,” he says.\r\n\r\nThe most important subject he hopes to drill home to students is <i>professionalism</i>. “If students are fantastic at the hard skills, but they don’t show professionalism in how they speak to associates when they go out to work, they won’t keep their jobs.”\r\n\r\nThe evening IT program operates at full capacity and has students from all walks of life. “Some have engineering backgrounds and some have never held a tool in their life,” says Barger. “Industrial managers take our program because they’ve hired our graduates and don’t want their employees to know more than they do.”\r\n\r\nIT education and training is in-depth and can be a little daunting for some of the students. “Students are working on million dollar pieces of machinery, so it can be a little intimidating,” says Barger. “What I like to see is their confidence grow, as they gain more knowledge and experience.”\r\n\r\nGraduates’ stories of success filter their way back into the classroom. “Graduates come out of the classroom ready to go,” says Chris. “They come back and my current students get to hear their success stories and it makes the light at the end of the tunnel a little bit closer.”\r\n\r\nFor some students it almost doesn’t happen at all. Chris tells of a young man who wanted to start the IT program, but who was experiencing very hard times and could not afford the uniform shirt. Student Services fund helped him out and when he completed the program got a great job in the solar industry.\r\n\r\n“For him to go from being that far down to having the means to support his family, was just great,” says Chris. “As a father, I understand that importance.”\r\n\r\nThere is also a lot of opportunity for females in the IT field. The perception is that, because Industrial Technology is historically male-dominated, women must make three-times the effort to be successful in that environment.\r\n\r\n“Employers look at it and though the women must have worked harder to get there, so they get hired pretty quickly,” says Barger. “The female I have in my class is at the top of the class, so proving that theory.”\r\n\r\nMale or female, IT students are expected to foster respect at all times. “I treat students with the utmost respect and expect the same in return,” says Chris. “It will help students keep their jobs because they will know how to speak to anyone with respect. From reception and janitors to engineers and managers, showing respect will help their success.”\r\n\r\nAcademic, technical, behavioral and life lessons are all part of the scope of influence Chris Barger provides his students. It is something he provides without hesitation.\r\n\r\n“This is definitely a perfect fit for me, and I love what I do,” says Barger. “Going to class is the best part of my day.”', 'Instructor keeps his eyes on Industrial Technology grads’ careers', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'open', '', 'instructor-keeps-his-eyes-on-industrial-technology-grads-careers', '', '', '2015-03-05 10:28:06', '2015-03-05 18:28:06', '', 0, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/instructor-keeps-his-eyes-on-industrial-technology-grads-careers', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(13606, 4, '2015-03-05 10:28:06', '2015-03-05 18:28:06', '[caption id="attachment_2028" align="alignleft" width="179"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-2028" title="Chris Barger" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_Barger2-179x300.jpg" alt="Chris Barger" width="179" height="300" /> This IT instructor goes out of his way to check up on his former students, to help graduates get jobs in the field.[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor <a title="SJVC Fresno" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/fresno/" target="_blank">Fresno campus</a> IT instructor, Chris Barger, his students’ success isn’t measured in program completion, but in full-time employment; and he goes out of his way to help grads realize that outcome. He works steadily with Career Services by providing employer leads, helping to set up student/employer interviews, giving employer background information to students, or starting a dialogue with new IT businesses.\r\n\r\n“I know my students aren’t in my class because I’m the coolest person in the world,” he laughs. “They’re here because they need the tools to support themselves and their families. I just help in any way I can.”\r\n\r\n“Chris is always engaged with his students and really cares about them,” says Christen Rodriguez, Career Services Manager. “He works closely with Career Services to ensure that each and every one of his graduates is placed.”\r\n\r\nHaving earned a BS degree at CSUF, and worked in the automotive industry for 15-years, Chris felt ready to fulfill the plan he had in mind since high school.\r\n\r\n“My program is a little unique for mechanically inclined folks like myself,” says Barger. I’m a gear-head and my students are gear-heads, and this all clicks for them, especially when we get to the hands-on training. It’s a great moment to see that light bulb go off for them.”\r\n\r\nAsked if he had to pick a favorite IT class and subject, Chris did not hesitate.\r\n\r\n“If I had to pick a class it’s <i>Industrial Electricity </i>because it really sets our students ahead,” he says.\r\n\r\nThe most important subject he hopes to drill home to students is <i>professionalism</i>. “If students are fantastic at the hard skills, but they don’t show professionalism in how they speak to associates when they go out to work, they won’t keep their jobs.”\r\n\r\nThe evening IT program operates at full capacity and has students from all walks of life. “Some have engineering backgrounds and some have never held a tool in their life,” says Barger. “Industrial managers take our program because they’ve hired our graduates and don’t want their employees to know more than they do.”\r\n\r\nIT education and training is in-depth and can be a little daunting for some of the students. “Students are working on million dollar pieces of machinery, so it can be a little intimidating,” says Barger. “What I like to see is their confidence grow, as they gain more knowledge and experience.”\r\n\r\nGraduates’ stories of success filter their way back into the classroom. “Graduates come out of the classroom ready to go,” says Chris. “They come back and my current students get to hear their success stories and it makes the light at the end of the tunnel a little bit closer.”\r\n\r\nFor some students it almost doesn’t happen at all. Chris tells of a young man who wanted to start the IT program, but who was experiencing very hard times and could not afford the uniform shirt. Student Services fund helped him out and when he completed the program got a great job in the solar industry.\r\n\r\n“For him to go from being that far down to having the means to support his family, was just great,” says Chris. “As a father, I understand that importance.”\r\n\r\nThere is also a lot of opportunity for females in the IT field. The perception is that, because Industrial Technology is historically male-dominated, women must make three-times the effort to be successful in that environment.\r\n\r\n“Employers look at it and though the women must have worked harder to get there, so they get hired pretty quickly,” says Barger. “The female I have in my class is at the top of the class, so proving that theory.”\r\n\r\nMale or female, IT students are expected to foster respect at all times. “I treat students with the utmost respect and expect the same in return,” says Chris. “It will help students keep their jobs because they will know how to speak to anyone with respect. From reception and janitors to engineers and managers, showing respect will help their success.”\r\n\r\nAcademic, technical, behavioral and life lessons are all part of the scope of influence Chris Barger provides his students. It is something he provides without hesitation.\r\n\r\n“This is definitely a perfect fit for me, and I love what I do,” says Barger. “Going to class is the best part of my day.”', 'Instructor keeps his eyes on Industrial Technology grads’ careers', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'open', '', '12462-revision-v1', '', '', '2015-03-05 10:28:06', '2015-03-05 18:28:06', '', 12462, 'http://www.sjvc.edu/12462-revision-v1', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
